The effects of the service of community mental health center on the schizophrenia patients -evaluation of quality of life, disabilities, general and social functioning- a summary of one year follow-up

Objective: In the world, 5 out of 10 diseases that cause disability and early death are psychiatric diseases. Schizophrenia is one of the most important diseases that cause loss in quality of life, social skills and general abilities. In recent years, psychosocial treatment approaches have become more popular and have been understood as more useful in addition to biological treatment in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the rehabilitation services on the schizophrenic patients over the effects of quality of life, disabilities, general and social functioning in Turkey's first constructed Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Bolu. Methods: A total of 30 schizophrenia patients who came regularly to the center between 15 August 2009 and 15 August 2010 were included in the study. The scales, Quality of Life for Patients with Schizophrenia.,, Global Assessment of Functioning.,, The Social Functioning Scale.,, World Health Organization- Disability Assessment Schedule. have been applied to the patients at their first admittance to the center and after one year regular attendance to the center. Results: Highly significant increases have been determined in the patients in all the areas of Quality of Life, after one year regular participation to the rehabilitation activities of the CMHC. Disability measures were 44.8 +/- 7.7 in the beginning and have decreased to 27.6 +/- 6.3 (p<0.01). The measures in the Global Assessment of Functioning were 29.2 +/- 10.7 at the beginning and 58.7 +/- 11.5 after 1 year follow up (p<0.01). In all the sub scales of Social Functioning Scale, significant increases have been determined after one year regular follow up when compared with the initial measures. Discussion: It was found that Bolu Community Mental Health Center which is founded for the first time in Turkey is helpful in increasing life quality of patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, decreasing loss of ability and increasing functionality. It was thought that becoming widespread of community mental health centers throughout Turkey and increasing their functionality would be beneficial.