Medication and diagnostic information in schizophrenic outpatients: a rural and urban comparison.

Abstract

A study was conducted among outpatient schizophrenics being seen at two mental health centers. The purpose of the study was to assess the outpatient's knowledge of his or her diagnosis and prescribed medication, The study assessed differences in the amount of knowledge of those living in the city containing their mental health center and those living in more rural 1 areas, The differences in the amount of knowledge of diagnosis and medication in men and women was also assessed. The participants in this study were 46 schizophrenic outpatients. They were chosen from the current caseload of two Kansas mental health centers. Participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, were prescribed antipsychotic drugs, and were Judged currently stable by their psychiatrist or casemanager. The ages of the participants varied from 18 to 73. An equal number of men and women were used in each group. All stable schizophrenic outpatients being seen at both mental health centers were divided into two groups: those living in the city containing the mental health facility or satellite office, and those living in rural areas. These two groups were further broken down by gender. A questionnaire adapted from one used in a 1983 study by McGill, Falloon, Boyd, and Wood-Silverio was used to assess the participant"s knowledge of his or her illness and medications (See Appendix A). The questionnaire consisted of eight open-ended questions. The answers were assessed by mental health staff with access to the client"s file. Each correct answer was scored as one point. Results showed a significant difference in the scores of urban and rural participants as well as a significant difference between the scores of men and women participants. Those participants living in the city containing the mental health facility scored higher than those living in more rural settings; at the same time, women scored higher than men.