Combined minimal medication and psychosocial interventions in acute-phase schizophrenic psychosis : knowledge, attitudes, and practices of psychiatrists in South Africa.
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Combined minimal medication and psychosocial interventions in acute-phase \nschizophrenic psychosis are seen by many as the way to address the problems \ninherent in the use of antipsychotic medication as the mainstay treatment for \nschizophrenic psychosis. This research report explores the Knowledge, Attitudes, and \nPractices of South African psychiatrists working in public hospitals with regard to \nthese alternative interventions. Eight psychiatrists were interviewed using a selfdesigned \nsemi-structured questionnaire consisting mostly out of open-ended \nquestions. A qualitative approach was adopted, while thematic content analysis was \nused to identify themes that address the aims of the research. Analysis revealed that: \nNone of the participants had any in-depth knowledge of combined minimal \nmedication and psychosocial interventions in acute-phase schizophrenic psychosis, \nwhile one participant was aware of their existence; The participants were \nunanimously opposed to the use of psychological interventions in acute-phase \nschizophrenic psychosis, as medication is viewed as the mainstay in treatment, with \npsychosocial and psychological interventions seen only as an adjunct, and \ncontraindicated in the acute phase; Schizophrenia is viewed as a biological disorder; \nThe majority of participants were not willing to minimize or withhold medication, as \npsychosis is seen as toxic to the brain, while one participant did report delaying \nmedication in cases where there was uncertainty around diagnosis; The lack of \nresources in South African mental health care greatly influences treatment \napproaches.
Author: Nardus Saayman
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2242353817