The aim of this study is to establish the effectiveness
of a clinical case management (CM) programme
compared to a standard treatment programme (STP) in
patients with schizophrenia. Patients for the CM programme
were consecutively selected among patients in the
STP with schizophrenia who had poor functioning. Seventy-five
patients were admitted to the CM programme and
were matched to 75 patients in the STP. Patients were
evaluated at baseline and at 1 year follow-up. At baseline,
patients in the CM programme showed lower levels of
clinical and psychosocial functioning and more care needs
than patients in the STP. Both treatment programmes were
effective in maintaining contact with services but the CM
programme did not show advantages over the STP on
outcomes. Differences between groups at baseline may be masking the effects of CM at one year follow-up. A longer
follow-up may be required to evaluate the real CM practices
effects.