21c - Directions for Future Drug Trial Research: Author Rejoinder to Commentaries on Recent Developments in the Pharmacologic Management of Personality Disorders

Summary

The commentaries (this volume) stressed the need for quality research that can close the gaps between evidence and practice. The recently completed trial by Crawford and colleagues (2018) stands out as a reference point for trial methodology that will advance our understanding of the role of pharmacological management of patients with PDs. Future research trials must expand the outcomes of interest including measures that capture “clinical well-being and quality of life” and more attention to recording adverse effects. Changing functional outcomes remains one of the most challenging issues related to our current evidence-based treatment approaches for patients with PDs. The need to harmonize our approach to measuring functional improvement remains a priority for future intervention research. Pharmacological research will advance by developing a consensus on the best measures to employ, incorporating dimensional models of personality pathology and creating partnerships between patients, clinicians and care providers in order to develop a meaningful research agenda going forward.