The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58813

Michael B Blank, PhD¹, Mark S. Salzer, PhD¹, Tim Tunner, MSW², and Trevor Hadley, PhD¹. (1) Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-349-8488, mblank2@mail.med.upenn.edu, (2) Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social, 908 Waverly Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) developed and disseminated recommendations for the treatment of schizophrenia based on existing scientific evidence (Lehman and Steinwachs; 1998a, 1998b). These treatment recommendations were based on extensive reviews of the published treatment outcomes literature and graded the evidence for those treatments based on the extent of evidence of efficacy. The recommendations addressed antipsychotic agents, adjunctive pharmacotherapies, electroconvulsive therapy, psychological interventions, family interventions, vocational rehabilitation, and assertive community treatment/intensive case management. The PORT treatment recommendations is the most widely accepted set of evidence-based practices in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Among the most concrete and useful recommendation in the PORT guidelines are those dealing with the use of pharmacotherapies. We have found that constructing a graph that depicts longitudinal use of pharmacotherapies is a valuable clinical tool to evaluate compliance to PORT treatment guidelines at an individual client level, and can immediately identify polypharmacy, treament that is above or below recommended treatment ranges, and adjunctive pharmacotherapy. This type of graph allows clinicians to evaluate how prudent deviations from guidelines are for each individual. Examples of treatment regimen for prototypical individuals will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1. List Schizophrenia PORT guidelines for psychopharmacology.
• 2. Articulate the use of graphical methods to quickly and easily indicate whether treatment of a individual patient falls within PORT guidelines.
• 3. Develop a plan for integrates these procedures in treatment planning and quality assurance.

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Sever Mental Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.