People with schizophrenia suffer persistent cognitive deficits, which impair their ability to function in everyday activities. These deficits cause substantial disability and many people require high levels of personal support with aspects of daily living in the community.
One approach, with good preliminary evidence in the UK and Canada, is the Computerised Remediation of Cognition – Training for Schizophrenia (CIRCUITS) cognitive remediation therapy program. The CIRCUITS program is an animated, internet-based program, specifically designed to improve patients’ insight into their functional difficulties and provides extensive practice for the use of strategies to help overcome these difficulties in key areas of cognitive functioning.
This project will evaluate the implementation of the first CIRCUITS programs to be offered in NSW Health services. The project aims to evaluate patient outcomes and develop facilitator training and resources.
Collaborators: Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, Pathways to Community Living, NSW Ministry of Health, University of NSW, Macquarie Medium Secure Forensic Mental Health Unit, Bloomfield Hospital (Orange), University of Queensland (Metro South (Brisbane) Addiction and Mental Health Services)