Prodromal symptoms of a first manic episode: a qualitative study to the perspectives of patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers'.

Background: Diagnosing bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging, and adequate treatment is of major importance to minimalize the consequences of the illness. Early recognition is one way to address this. Although in clinical research the prodromal phase of BD is gaining interest, the perspective of patients with BD and their caregivers on prodromal symptoms is still lacking.

The challenges of living with bipolar disorder: a qualitative study of the implications for health care and research.

Background: In mental health care, clinical practice is often based on the best available research evidence. However, research findings are difficult to apply to clinical practice, resulting in an implementation gap. To bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, patients' perspectives should be used in health care and research.

A research agenda for bipolar disorder developed from a patients' perspective.

Background: Diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder is complex. Health care is supported by clinical guidelines, which are highly based on scientific evidence. However, such care does not necessarily correspond to preferred care according to patients.

Comparing patients' perspectives of "good care" in Dutch outpatient psychiatric services with academic perspectives of patient-centred care.

Background: Over the past six decades, the concept of patient-centred care (PCC) has been discussed in health research, policy and practice. However, research on PCC from a patients' perspective is sparse and particularly absent in outpatient psychiatric services.

Aim: to gain insight into what patients with bipolar disorder and ADHD consider "good care" and what this implies for the conceptualisation of PCC.