A priority in the treatment of schizophrenia and related conditions is to bring symptoms such as psychosis under control. To date, the most effective treatment modality to achieve this goal is pharmacotherapy. Unfortunately, a common side-effect of antipsychotic medication is weight gain, which in turn is linked to other serious physical conditions such as diabetes. The metabolic side-effects of taking antipsychotics can so impact upon the patient that they choose to skip or discontinue taking medication, which puts them at increased risk of relapse. Thus, improving the general health of people with schizophrenia and controlling the side-effects of antipsychotic medication are important clinical goals. The monitoring of patients' weight, body mass index, lipids and blood pressure is an important component of maintaining physical health and is an important factor in maintaining adherence to medication regimes. If metabolic side-effects do develop, use of a monitoring instrument would alert the clinician to the fact. We present an overview of the issues around monitoring of metabolic side-effects, as well as an overview of a study currently being conducted, which assesses clinician's monitoring practices. The primary aim of this study was to assess metabolic monitoring practices by clinicians with a range of experience. A set of metabolic monitoring guidelines will be implemented, and the same clinicians will be reassessed over a 6-month period. This research will result in more consistent monitoring of metabolic side-effects, leading to improved mental and physical health outcomes for patients receiving antipsychotic medications.
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