A comparison of needs of patients with schizophrenia in five European countries:: the EPSILON Study

Objective: To compare the occurrence of needs of patients with schizophrenia in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Santander and Verona. Method: Patients with schizophrenia were interviewed with the Camberwell Assessment of Need. The mean numbers of total, met and unmet needs were compared across the sites. Ratings for individual domains were also examined. Means were adjusted, using multiple regression analysis, to control for patient differences between sites. Results: The highest levels of unmet need were in Amsterdam and London. The number of met needs were similar. Adjusting for patient differences reduced the estimated number of unmet needs and total needs in Copenhagen, but made little difference elsewhere. There were many site differences for individual domains. Conclusion: Needs vary between different countries. Unmet needs are greater in large urban areas like London and Amsterdam. Differences in the pattern of individual needs may be partly explained in terms of service provision.