What the study found
The authors present recommendations for comprehensive care of people with schizophrenia-spectrum psychoses across different clinical stages and resource settings. They conclude that care should combine early detection, measurement-based monitoring, pharmacological, psychological, and psychosocial interventions, plus support for physical health, community and inpatient care, peer support, prevention, and societal support.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests that schizophrenia care needs to be integrated, personalized, and adapted to the resources available in different settings. The authors conclude that improving care also requires addressing disparities, increasing mental health funding, improving access, and considering social determinants of health.
What the researchers tested
The recommendations were based on a critical review of the scientific literature and a collaborative appraisal by many clinical academics who treat people with schizophrenia worldwide, including in the Global South. Experts by experience also took part.
What worked and what didn't
The recommendations indicate that comprehensive care should include early detection, measurement-based monitoring, medications, psychological and psychosocial interventions, management of somatic conditions, community and inpatient care, peer support, self-help, alternative healing methods, prevention, and societal-level support. The authors also emphasize culturally sensitive, evidence-based care, task-sharing with non-professional health care workers, and, if possible, traditional healers.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes these as recommendations rather than tested interventions, so it does not report comparative outcomes for each approach. It also notes that care is uneven across settings and that stronger funding, access, and attention to social determinants are still needed.
Key points
- The paper offers first recommendations for real-world comprehensive care of schizophrenia-spectrum psychoses across settings and stages.
- The authors recommend combining early detection, monitoring, medications, psychological care, psychosocial support, and physical health care.
- The recommendations also include community care, inpatient care, peer support, self-help, alternative healing methods, prevention, and societal support.
- The recommendations were developed from a literature review and a global collaborative appraisal that included experts by experience.
- The authors emphasize culturally sensitive care, task-sharing, better funding, improved access, and attention to social determinants of health.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Recommendations outline comprehensive schizophrenia care across settings
- Authors:
- Paolo Fusar‐Poli, Toby Pillinger, Robert A. McCutcheon, Thara Rangaswamy, Laila Asmal, Swaran P. Singh, Dominic Oliver, Riccardo Stefanelli, Nicolas A. Crossley, Ary Gadelha, Carlos Lopez‐Jaramillo, Byamah B. Mutamba, Majda Cheour, Marcelo Valencia, Laura Asher, Clàudia Aymerich, Ana Catalan, Dong Keon Yon, Jae Il Shin, Marco Solmi, Stephen M. Lawrie, Kazione Kulisewa, Olga Karpenko, Dror Ben‐Zeev, Samuele Cortese, Crick Lund, Oliver Howes, Péter Kéri, Charlene Sunkel, Ilaria Bonoldi, Stefano Damiani, Laura Fusar‐Poli, Patrick D. McGorry, John M. Kane, Christoph U. Correll
- Institutions:
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Africa Mental Health Foundation, Behavioral Tech Research, Inc., BioCruces Health research Institute, BioCruces Health research Institute, Butabika Hospital, Center for Children, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks-Europe, Hofstra University, Hofstra University, Hôpital Razi de La Manouba, Hospital de Basurto, Hospital de Basurto, Imperial College London, Institute of Mental Health, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Mental Health Research Center of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, NYU Langone Health, Orygen, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa University, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Schizophrenia Research Foundation, Severance Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Spanish Clinical Research Network, Spanish Clinical Research Network, Stellenbosch University, The University of Melbourne, Tunis El Manar University, Universidad de Antioquia, University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Cape Town, University of Edinburgh, University of Nottingham, University of Ottawa, University of Oxford, University of Oxford, University of Oxford, University of Pavia, University of Pavia, University of Pavia, University of Pavia, University of Pavia, University of Southampton, University of the Basque Country, University of the Basque Country, University of Warwick, Yonsei University, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Zucker Hillside Hospital
- Publication date:
- 2026-05-15
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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