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WHO collaborative study on impairments and disabilities associated with schizophrenic disorders
Author(s) -
Jablensky A.,
Schwarz R.,
Tomov T.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1980.tb07687.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychology , behavioural disorders , mental health , multiple disabilities , public health , mental illness , clinical psychology , medicine , developmental psychology , nursing
According to WHO estimates up to two‐fifths of all disability is associated with mental disorders. Because of the severe burden of psychiatric disability on individuals, families and communities, programmes aiming at its prevention, containment or reduction are likely in the future to receive a high priority in public health planning. However, the rational selection of effective approaches to disability prevention and reduction is hampered by the absence of: (i) agreed concepts and criteria of psychiatric impairments and disabilities; (ii) standardized methods for assessment; and (iü) knowledge about the predictors and precursors of specific impairments and disabilities in patients suffering from mental disorders. A recently undertaken WHO collaborative study in seven countries draws on findings from earlier research, and aims to contribute to the resolution of these problems. In the first phase of the project, instruments for the assessment of psychological impairments and specific disabilities in patients suffering from schizophrenic psychoses have been drafted. In the second phase, the instruments have been applied to assess series of 70 patients each selected in seven catchment areas on the basis of specified screening criteria. In the third phase, follow‐up examinations are being carried out at one‐ and two‐year points after the initial evaluation. It is expected that detailed information will be collected in the course of the study on the nature and extent of impairments and disabilities in the early stages of schizophrenia, and on their prognosis.