Compliance in the treatment of schizophrenia - Results of an expert survey in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt

Objective: To report attitudes of psychiatrists and neurologists towards compliance with regard to medication-taking behaviour of patients suffering from schizophrenia. Method: A questionnaire was sent to psychiatrists and neurologists practising in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Out of a total of 120, 54 completed questionnaires were returned. Results: Most of the experts defined compliance as the degree of fidelity to treatment recommendations and patient cooperation. In the experts' view, a positive attitude towards treatment, insight into illness, and accurate perception of the symptoms correlate strongly with compliance, whereas the association between sociodemographic characteristics and compliance was seen as moderate. A majority of experts considered there were changes in compliance over time. Discussion: With regard to the improvement of compliance, the importance of the doctor-patient-relationship is supported by the results of our study. As ratings of doctors suggest, compliance is a broadly determined behaviour which is variable over time. Future research on medication-related compliance in patients suffering from schizophrenia should take into account these findings.