Developing and Feasibility Testing a Training Package for Managing Psychosis and Schizophrenia in Primary Care in Accordance with NICE Guidelines

Abstract

Introduction: General Practitioners (GPs) play a pivotal role in the management of psychosis and schizophrenia patients who are prone to numerous physical health problems that are severely under addressed. It is vital that GPs are adequately trained in the management of these disorders, have good knowledge of clinical guidelines and are confident in their ability to manage these patients. The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of delivering a manual based training package in accordance with NICE guidelines for the management of psychosis and schizophrenia to GPs. Methods: A manual based training package was developed for GPs in accordance with NICE guidelines for the management of psychosis and schizophrenia in primary care. Outcome measures were developed to evaluate the impact of the training on GPs knowledge and confidence in managing psychosis and schizophrenia. Primary feasibility outcomes were recruiting GPs to attend the training, delivering the training and GPs acceptance and satisfaction with the training. A pre and post test design was used to measure changes in GPs knowledge and confidence after the training. Results: We recruited 34 GPs to attend the training sessions for psychosis and schizophrenia. GPs reported a high level of satisfaction with the training package and found it acceptable. A repeated measures t-test revealed a significant improvement (p < .001) in GPs knowledge and confidence in managing psychosis and schizophrenia and knowledge of NICE guidelines. Conclusion: It is both feasible and acceptable to deliver a training package for psychosis and schizophrenia in accordance with NICE guidelines to GPs. GPs should receive further training and education, given the overwhelming impact of the disease on patient’s health. Future research should further develop a multifaceted intervention that combines training for psychosis in primary care, along with providing improved access to secondary care and wider community engagement.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Amy Blakemore (Supervisor) & Waquas Waheed (Supervisor)