First-of-Its-Kind National Online Survey Uncovers Obstacles to Comprehensive Healthcare for People With Sch...(being of our patients withschizophrenia....),Health

About Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic form of psychosis that affects approximately 2.4 million adults(i) and at least 1.25 million families(ii) in the United States. The disease is characterized by positive and negative symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, poverty of speech, disorganized thought and emotional blunting.(iii) Severity of symptoms and the chronic pattern of schizophrenia often cause a high degree of disability for patients, impacting families, caregivers and communities.(iv) In 2002, schizophrenia cost the United States $62.7 billion.(v)

About the Survey

"Communicating About Health: A Mental Health America Survey of People with Schizophrenia and Providers" was conducted by International Communications Research, a leading independent research company. Surveys were conducted online between September 17 and October 12, 2007 among a sample of 250 adults with schizophrenia (ages 18 and older) who had been diagnosed by a qualified medical professional as a person with schizophrenia and 250 psychiatrists.

The group of consumers was provided by an online research panel that maintains a nationwide sample of respondents and rigorously checks the quality and validity of the sample. Average age of consumer respondents was 38, with a majority being female (56%), Caucasian (76%), employed - paid or unpaid - (52%) and from various incomes and geographic regions.

Physician respondents were comprised of practicing psychiatrists who treat people with schizophrenia and are members of a national, verified online research panel. Average years in practice for physician respondents was 12, with a majority being male (69%) and seeing 11 or more schizophrenia patients each month (81%). Respondents were f
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