The 2016 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists guidelines for the management of schizophrenia and related disorders.

The 2016 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists guidelines for the management of schizophrenia and related disorders. Med J Aust. 2017 Jun 19;206(11):501-505 Authors: Castle DJ, Galletly CA, Dark F, Humberstone V, Morgan VA, Killackey E, Kulkarni J, McGorry P, Nielssen O, Tran NT, Jablensky A Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) clinical practice guidelines for the management of schizophrenia and related disorders provide evidence-based recommendations for optimising treatment and prognosis. This update to the 2005 RANZCP guidelines has a greater emphasis on psychosocial treatments, physical health comorbidities and vocational rehabilitation. Main recommendations: The guidelines advise a clinical staging approach and deliver specific recommendations for:•comprehensive treatment using second generation antipsychotic agents continuously for 2-5 years;•early treatment of comorbid substance use;•community treatment after initial contact, during crises and after discharge from hospital;•physical health monitoring and management of comorbidities, particularly metabolic health;•interventions to optimise recovery of social function and return to study or work; and•management of schizophrenia in specific populations and circumstances. Changes in management as a result of the guidelines: The guidelines provide benchmarks against which the performance of ser...
Source: Medical Journal of Australia - Category: General Medicine Tags: Med J Aust Source Type: research