SCHIZOPHRENIA: Interpretation of Schizophrenia.
The modest, but acceptable inter-centre reliability suggests that for this study the answer to questions c. and d. is a cautious Yes, which will facilitate both the development of epidemiology in the countries concerned and the planning of psychiatric facilities.
Abstract
SCHIZOPHRENIA The International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia. World Health Organization. Volume z. Geneva. 1973. Pp. x+426. Price Sw. fr. 56.00. The International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia is part of a programme of epiderniological psychiatry developed by the Mental Health Unit of the World Health Organization. The Study, which started in 1967, involves nine Field Research Centres—Aarhus, Agra, Cali, Ibadan, London, Moscow, Taipei, Washington and Prague. The completed study aims to answer the following questions: a. †̃¿ In what sense can it be said that schizophrenic dis orders exist in different parts ofthe world? Do they differ in form or content ? Does the clinical course differ?' b. †̃¿ Can other functional psychoses also be recognized and do they run a recognizably different course?' C. †̃¿ Can techniques be developed for recording and classifying symptomatology reliably?' d. †̃¿ Can teams of research workers be trained to use these techniques so that comparable observations can be made in both developed and developing countries?' This interim report gives the results of the Present State Examination on i ,202 patients at the nine centres. The modest, but acceptable inter-centre reliability suggests that for this study the answer to questions c. and d. is a cautious Yes. If subsequent reports can also answer questions a. and b. this ambitious programme will have been well worth while. At the very least the study will facilitate both the development of epidemiology in the countries concerned and the planning of psychiatric facilities. The report is clearly presented. Many authors were involved, but much of it was written by J. K. Wing,