Evidence Based Psychosocial Practices and Recovery from Schizophrenia

Pessimistic views about the course and outcome of schizophrenia have been replaced by a more optimistic approach that places emphasis on providing services in the community that foster functional recovery. The concept of recovery implies emphasis on the importance of providing access to treatments and community services that assist individuals to lead maximally productive and personally meaningful lives. Research conducted by the World Health Organization on the course and outcome of schizophrenia contributed to growing recognition of the importance of community based psychosocial therapy and rehabilitation programs in improving prospects for recovery. The Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) recently published an updated consensus list of twenty evidence-based practices (EBPs) that includes six psychosocial treatments. The PORT psychosocial EBPs are summarized in this paper, and factors that impact program effectiveness are discussed. These factors include stigma, and variations in the quality and integrity of implementation of programs. The PORT recommendations are an excellent foundation on which to build future innovation and research on psychosocial approaches to improve opportunities for recovery of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.