Preferences for schizophrenia treatment outcomes among public policy makers, consumers, families, and providers.

Objective: This study measured state public policy makers' ratings of the importance of several key schizophrenia treatment outcomes and compared them with the ratings of primary stakeholders in schizophrenia treatment.

Methods: Three groups of policy makers (40 administrative decision makers, 40 state legislators, and 20 legislative aides) and three groups of core stakeholders (20 persons with schizophrenia, 13 of their family members, and 20 of their mental health care providers) were recruited in Florida. Participants rated 12 descriptions of schizophrenia-related health states that reflected better and worse outcomes in six domains: psychotic symptoms, deficit symptoms, medication side effects, productive activity, daily activity, and social activity.