Clusters according to patient need in a long-stay inpatient population with schizophrenia: does executive dysfunction underpin needs-directed care

Purpose To identify the external validators of patient clusters according to need in a long-stay inpatient population with schizophrenia. Methods We recruited without exclusion 112 in-patients with chronic schizophrenia in a long-stay rehabilitation facility of a major psychiatric hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Case managers completed a number of measures for participants, including The Camberwell Assessment of Need-Short Appraisal Schedule, which evaluates health and social needs. Latent class analysis according to patient need was performed to identify clusters within the cohort. One way analysis of variance was used to identify the external validators of these clusters, using variables obtained from the additional study measures (Social Behaviour Schedule, Global Assessment of Function, Basic Everyday Living Skills, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function- Adult version). Results Three distinct needs-based clusters with different external profiles were identified. A ‘‘low unmet needs’’ group (n = 50) with relatively intact executive function, with the least problematic behaviour and most independent functioning; a ‘‘high unmet need (drug abstinent)’’ group (n = 43) with greatest executive dysfunction, most problematic behaviour and least independent function; a ‘‘high unmet need (drug using)’’ group (n = 19), with less severe executive dysfunction, and intermediate relative to the other groups on measures of social behaviour and independent functioning. Conclusions The clinical heterogeneity we have identified, which may well be explained by executive dysfunction, suggests further exploration of appropriate assessment and streams of care for those in the rehabilitation setting is warranted.