Randomised trial of personalised computer based information for patients with schizophrenia

ObjectivesTo compare use, effect, and cost of personalised computer education with community psychiatric nurse education for patients with schizophrenia.DesignRandomised trial of three interventions. Modelling of costs of alternatives.Participants112 patients with schizophrenia in contact with community services; 67 completed the intervention.InterventionsThree interventions of five educational sessions: (a) computer intervention combining information from patient''s medical record with general information about schizophrenia; (b) sessions with a community psychiatric nurse; (c) “combination” (first and last sessions with nurse and remainder with computer).ResultsRates of completion of intervention did not differ significantly (71% for combination intervention, 61% for computer only, 46% for nurse only). Computer sessions were shorter than sessions with nurse (14 minutes v 60 minutes). More patients given nurse based education thought the information relevant. Of 20 patients in combination group, 13 preferred the sessions with the nurse and seven preferred the computer. There were no significant differences between groups in psychological outcomes. Because of the need to transport patients to the computer for their sessions, there was no difference between interventions in costs, but computer sessions combined with other patient contacts would be substantially cheaper.ConclusionsThe computer based patient education offered no advantage over sessions with a community psychiatric nurse. Investigation of computer use combined with other health service contacts would be worth while.

What is already known on this topic

Education of patients with schizophrenia has limited but positive outcomesComputer based approaches have not been thoroughly evaluated

What this study adds

A computer based method of education for patients with schizophrenia, which personalised the information with details from each patient''s medical record, was acceptable and as effective as educational sessions given by a community psychiatric nurseHowever, because of the need to provide transport for patients to attend their sessions, the computer based intervention was as costly as the nurse based oneInvestigating the addition of computer based education to other routine patient contacts would be worthwhile