Chapter 17 - Conclusion and implications for practice and policy

Summary

The CATIE schizophrenia trial was among the largest, longest, most comprehensive, studies of psychotropic medication ever undertaken. The federal government and NIMH made a major investment in CATIE because schizophrenia is a major cause of disability and even small benefits could have important ramifications for patients and their families and savings for the country. While clinical trials provide the most rigorous understanding of the benefits and risks of various treatments for populations of patients, they can only guide, not dictate, clinical practice since treatment must always be individualized for each unique patient. The results of CATIE, however, can help practicing clinicians tailor treatment for their patients. The authors single out seven issues as of particular relevance for practice. The CATIE results suggest that the armamentarium for treating schizophrenia can be expanded to include perphenazine as well as three other intermediate potency drugs.