| BRIEF RESEARCH COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2005 | Volume
: 47
| Issue : 4 | Page : 218-221 |
Family education in schizophrenia: A comparison of two approaches
R Thara, R Padmavati, A Lakshmi, P Karpagavalli
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), Chennai, India
Correspondence Address:
R Thara
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), R/7A, North Main Road, West Anna Nagar Extension, Chennai 600101
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.43056
Background: Family education programme (FEP) for families of persons with schizophrenia is practised in several centres as a part of patient- and family-related services.
Aim: This paper describes two models of FEP conducted at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), Chennai.
Methods: The first programme was a part of a research study and was structured utilizing standard evaluation instruments. The second was flexible and tailored to the needs of the family members.
Results: After the first programme, the psychopathology of patients and the burden of caregiving on primary caregivers did not show any significant difference but there was a significant gain in caregivers' knowledge with information and experience sharing. Most families seemed to prefer the second programme, which recorded better attendance and participation.
Conclusion: Informal educational sessions with periodic 'across-the-table' re-inforcers may be more effective and practical in the Indian setting.
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