The article focuses on the implications of research in schizophrenia for social workers. Schizophrenia has such a strong impact in so many areas of family life that social workers in almost all settings are asked to provide service to schizophrenic patients and families. One of the primary goals of community casework with schizophrenics is to prevent hospitalization. The methods used will vary with different patients, but their common purpose is to alleviate stressful areas in the patient's environment that will either cause him to have an exacerbation of symptoms or cause his family to be tolerant of his presence in the home. Findings from genetic and biochemical studies together with research in epidemiology, prognosis, and treatment effectiveness were presented, and a conclusion drawn that in at least some types of schizophrenia there is a strong organic component that operates independently of treatment and environmental factors. Current casework procedures and programs were discussed and seven ways of minimizing the effect of the illness were suggested.
