Comparison of unmet needs of patients on treatment of schizophrenia perceived by patients and their family caregivers

Background/Objectives: The significance of need assessment has been widely recognized for providing holistic and quality care for mentally ill patients all over the world. The current study is an attempt to assess the unmet needs of patients with schizophrenia as perceived by themselves and their family caregivers. Methodology: Unmet needs were assessed on a convenience sample of 100 patients with schizophrenia and their respective 100 family caregivers from a psychiatric outpatient department of tertiary care hospital by Camberwell Assessment of Needs questionnaire using descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative research design. Results: The results showed that mean number of unmet needs rated by patients was 7.23 (SD = 3.22) and the caregivers was 3.45 (SD = 2.43). Most common areas of unmet needs identified by patients were welfare benefits (79%), company (72%), information on condition and treatment (71%), psychological distress (70%), psychotic symptoms (57%), and physical health (55%). Most common unmet needs reported by caregivers were welfare benefits (77%), psychotic symptoms (55%), money (31%), psychological distress (29%), and information on condition and treatment (25%). Agreement on unmet needs of patients between the patients and caregivers was poor to fair in most of the areas of needs. Conclusions: There was high discrepancies and poor agreement on unmet needs perceived by patients and their family caregivers. There is a need to develop effective strategies to appreciate all the unmet needs of the patients accurately so as to act accordingly.