Magyar Pszichiátriai Társaság

Background
In March 2024, the EBC Rethinking Schizophrenia Beyond The Voices Policy Report was released and represents the first of the three “Rethinking Schizophrenia” phases.

The PHASE 1 (2023-2024) policy report highlights key unmet needs of people living with schizophrenia and ways to address them. Based on semi-structured interviews —gathering insights from patients and representatives of patient associations on the question ‘What are the patient’s needs?’—along with survey results, the EBC Rethinking Schizophrenia Care Pathway project PHASE 2 (2024-2025) analyses barriers to care identified by patients. Key areas of focus include the importance of early neuropsychological assessment, continuity of care, shared decision-making and a recovery-oriented approach in treatment. Study objectives aimed to describe the care pathways of young patients from the first episode of psychosis (FEP) (often representing the onset of schizophrenia) to long-term care throughout the mental health system in nine European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom). In mental disorders, there is not one single patient care pathway, but there are many. The results of this qualitative research are based on the responses obtained from health professionals working in distinct types of mental health care. During the 2025 Brain Awareness Week, the Phase 2 study paper was launched. The PHASE 3 Country Profiles – the “reality check” (2025-2026) will rethink schizophrenia at the national level. It will examine the
ways how to introduce policy changes guided by these recommendations at the European and country levels, bringing a brain health approach to schizophrenia prevention and management.

Read more: EBC Rethinking Schizophrenia Care Pathway - Final Study Paper