Landmark Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) Study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Agency for Health Care Policy. 

Description: 

WHO?

Beginning in 1992, Dr. Anthony Lehman of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Donald M. Steinwachs from the John Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, and other researchers conducted the PORT study to identify treatments that are successful to reduce symptoms and foster recovery for persons who have Schizophrenia. 

HOW?

The research team surveyed past literature reviews and rated each based upon a level of evidence.  Drafts were sent to experts for review after the initial treatment recommendations were compiled.  Finally, recommendations were published based upon the feedback.   

WHY?

The purpose of this study was to pinpoint whether current practices measure up to what is known to be helpful based upon the best scientific evidence available (Lehman, Steinwachs et al., 1998, pp. 9)  This study was needed because for people with Schizophrenia, access to effective treatment was found to be intolerably inadequate.

The following is an overview of the key findings (quoted directly from NAMI, http://web.nami.org/update/9809headline.html). 

• Only 29.1 percent of people with schizophrenia receive the appropriate dose of antipsychotic medication over the long-term. Nearly one-third of these consumers get overdoses that put them at risk of serious side-effects.
• Fewer than half of people with schizophrenia who suffer symptoms of depression receive antidepressant medication, even though 15 percent of people with schizophrenia go on to commit suicide.
• Only half of those suffering from serious side effects of medication receive appropriate and effective treatment to counteract these problems.
• African Americans are almost twice as likely as Caucasians to be overmedicated with antipsychotic medications and accordingly suffer higher rates of side effects. In addition, African Americans are twice as likely to be denied medication for serious depression.
• Fewer than one in 10 families receives even minimal education and support. Even though the vast majority of families are in regular contact with their relative with schizophrenia and family education and support has been shown to improve clinical outcomes,
• Fewer than one in four consumers with schizophrenia who can benefit from employment services receive any such support, even with 90-plus percent unemployment rates in this population.
• As few as two percent of individuals with schizophrenia receive Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), which is highly effective in preventing relapse and hospitalization.