UCSF

This study examined whether transitioning patients from oral antipsychotics (POs) to long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) helps patients achieve recovery-oriented goals. Data was extracted from San Francisco County's electronic medical record system for this retrospective pre-post observational study. Patients reflect a safety-net population treated in community-based mental health settings during 2015. The San Francisco Adult Strengths and Needs Assessment (SF ANSA), a measure of psychosocial functioning, was used to assess within-subject change when treated with POs versus LAIs. In our study sample (N = 77), LAI SF ANSA scores showed significant improvements in criminal behaviors (p = .017), medication adherence (p = .008), and spirituality (p = .028), and a non-significant trend for residential stability (p = .073). This is the first study to evaluate improvements in key psychosocial areas after treatment with LAIs. This work suggests that LAIs can be another tool for providers to help patients work towards their recovery-oriented goals.