New National Survey of Healthcare Providers Offers Insights Into the Dynamic and Challenging Treatment Journey for People Living With Schizophrenia or Bipolar I Disorder

Core Insights - The survey highlights that medication adherence is a significant concern for healthcare providers when selecting treatments for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder (BDI) [1][4] - A strong consensus (98%) among respondents indicates that the quality of life for patients is equally important as symptom management in treatment considerations [1][4] Group 1: Survey Findings - The survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Alkermes involved over 250 healthcare providers treating BDI and schizophrenia patients [1][2] - 66% of healthcare providers reported that their BDI patients have good or excellent overall quality of life, while only 21% felt the same for their schizophrenia patients [2] - Medication switching is common, with BDI patients switching medications an average of seven times and schizophrenia patients eight times throughout their lifetime [4] Group 2: Treatment Concerns - The top concerns for BDI patients include long-term medication adherence (36%), frequency of manic symptoms (32%), and depressive symptoms (31%) [2] - For schizophrenia patients, the primary worries are the ability to take medication as prescribed (41%) and long-term adherence (41%) [2] - 82% of providers noted that patients often switch medications due to perceived ineffectiveness, while 81% cited intolerable side effects as a reason [4] Group 3: Treatment Selection Criteria - When selecting treatment options, healthcare providers prioritize whether patients can adhere to medication as prescribed (15%), the availability of extensive clinical trial research (15%), and experiences with other patients (13%) [4] - 68% of respondents indicated that inclusion in clinical guidelines would encourage them to explore new treatments, while 65% emphasized the importance of accessibility through insurance [4] Group 4: Importance of Quality of Life - Almost all surveyed healthcare providers (98%) agreed that managing quality of life is as crucial as symptom management in treatment efficacy [4] - Key outcomes for successful treatment include reduced symptom frequency (44%), independence in daily activities (38%), and long-term medication adherence (30%) [4]