Achieving better outcomes for schizophrenia patients in Hong Kong: Strategies for improving treatment adherence.

Recent research on second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI SGAs) has proven its effectiveness in minimizing medication nonadherence problem and reducing relapses. Administered by medical professionals, making quick detection of nonadherence possible, long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) facilitate immediate intervention and recovery process, and thus are favored by psychiatrists. Despite a higher initial cost with LAIs, the subsequent schizophrenia-related health costs for hospitalizations and outpatients are greatly reduced.

Consensus statements on the clinical understanding and use of bupropion in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To develop a local consensus to guide medical practitioners and psychiatrists on the use of bupropion in different psychiatric conditions in Hong Kong.

Methods: By utilizing the modified Delphi technique, a group of 10 local physicians with extensive experience in the management of major depressive disorder (MDD) developed and voted (using an anonymous, electronic voting system) on the practicality of recommendation of a set of consensus statements on the clinical use and understanding of bupropion in Hong Kong.

Results: There was a very high degree of agreement among the panelists on the 11 finalized consensus statements.

Guidance on the clinical understanding and use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in Schizophrenia: Hong Kong Consensus Statements.

Aims: There is increasing evidence showing the importance of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in the management of schizophrenia, especially in terms of improving patient medication compliance. A panel of experienced clinicians in Hong Kong mapped out a set of consensus statements with an aim to facilitate the understanding and use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics among local physicians.

Methods: Eight discussion areas regarding long-acting injectable antipsychotics were selected by the chairman of the consensus group.

Consensus statements on the clinical uses of pregabalin for Hong Kong.

To facilitate the understanding of pregabalin and optimize its clinical usage in Hong Kong, an expert panel (11 psychiatrists, one family physician and one anesthesiologist) experienced in treating anxiety and somatic symptoms was invited to establish a set of consensus statements based on several discussion areas. A non-systematic literature search for relevant articles was conducted. The panelists addressed the discussion areas by sharing their clinical experience and available literature in a couple of meetings.

Consensus statements on the clinical understanding and use of milnacipran in Hong Kong.

Objective: Our aim is to develop a local consensus to guide medical practitioners and psychiatrists on the use of milnacipran in different psychiatric conditions.

Methods: By utilizing the modified Delphi technique, 12 statements were electronically voted on anonymously for their practicability of recommendation.

Results: There was a very high degree of agreement among the consensus group on 10 finalized consensus statements, but 2 statements were voted down due to a poor degree of agreement.

Five-year outcomes of western mental health training for Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners.

Background: There are increasing expectations for primary care practitioners to deal with mental health problems. In Hong Kong, 15 % of the general public consult Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners regularly for their primary health care needs. This study investigated the 5-year outcomes of a western mental health training course for TCM practitioners in Hong Kong.