This was considered important, as there is wide variation in
the services offered. Participants in group two were 16
clients (CLs) with schizophrenia and 16 carers (CRs) who
cared for them. These CLs/CRs were recruited from central
Taiwan and were contacted by their PHNs/HHNs in the
first instance. After obtaining their approval, the researchers
contacted the CLs/CRs directly and arranged face-toface
interviews. All participants, the nurses and CLs/CRs,
gave their informed consent prior to the conduction of the
study and were informed that they could choose to withdraw
from the study at any time. Confidentiality and anonymity
were guaranteed. The main areas of discussion with
the professionals were staff experience, services offered,
effectiveness of treatment, and expectations of and difficulties
with home-care services, while those with the CLs/CRs
were coping behaviour, the needs of people diagnosed with
mental illness, and past experiences with and expectations
of home-care services.