Schizophrenia treatment: content versus delivery.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence supporting the importance of ensuring that patients with psychiatric disorders receive an optimal and appropriate level of non-pharmacological treatment, and how Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) may be able to contribute to this aim.

METHOD: Analysis of data from selected individual published studies on ACT, in addition to reviews from the Cochrane Library, and other study groups.

RESULTS

Treatment management using ACT appears to offer benefits in terms of reduction in hospitalisation, although there is some debate as to whether this is the most representative outcome measure. Preliminary indications using remission as an outcome measure have also shown promising results in favour of ACT.

CONCLUSION

While further investigation and validation are necessary, current data indicate that ACT may be an appropriate strategy to facilitate the delivery of treatment to patients with psychotic disorders.