Strategies for relapse prevention among people with schizophrenia in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: Healthcare providers' perspectives
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Date
2025-03-10
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Publisher
Plos One
Abstract
Introduction
Relapse is a significant challenge among people with schizophrenia and is broadly recog-
nized by the aggravation of positive or negative symptoms, the need for re-hospitalization,
more intensive case management, and/or changes in medication. The quality of inpatient
care and proper transition to outpatient care are crucial in reducing the risk of relapse.
Healthcare providers play vital roles in ensuring the continuity of care after patients are
discharged from the hospital. Little is known about the roles of preventing relapse from the
perspective of healthcare providers. This study explored the currently existing strategies
for preventing relapse from the perspective of healthcare providers.
Methods
We captured the view of healthcare providers providing services to psychiatric patients
using a qualitative methodological approach with descriptive phenomenology. We con-
ducted audio-recorded, in-depth interviews with 15 consenting clinical providers from a
public psychiatric hospital in Durban, South Africa. To facilitate analysis, we used Dedoose
software (SocioCultural Research Consultants, LLC [www.dedoose.com]), and the themes
were inducted from the data.
Results
Six major themes inducted from the analysis: Preparing patients and caregivers for
discharge; Developing consistent and caring therapeutic relationships; Using an active
approach to transition; Working with patients and caregivers concurrently; Creating and
sustaining interagency connections; and Facilitating alternative forms of treatment.
Conclusions
Discharge planning and preparation are needed to ensure smooth transitions from hos-
pital to outpatient care for relapse prevention. The healthcare system should ensure the
availability of human resources for health at all levels of health facilities, and multidisci-
plinary teamwork will help a successful transition.
Description
Keywords
Schizophrenia, KwaZulu-Natal, Healthcare
Citation
Mlay JP, Naidu T, Ramlall S, Patankar K, Israel K, Esquivel L, et al. (2025) Strategies for relapse prevention among people with schizophrenia in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: Healthcare providers’ perspectives. PLoS ONE 20(3): e0316313. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316313