Goals and Objectives

Clinical, Research and Training Programs on Schizophrenia

Continuity of Care Program
Research and Training Programs
Appointments and Information

Continuity of Care Program: Treatment and Services for Chronic Mental Disorders

The Continuity of Care Clinic has been in operation for more than 35 years, making it the most established clinic in the Department of Psychiatry. Clinical services are provided primarily within the Thursday Afternoon Clinic (TAC) which meets regularly from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. every Thursday in the Medical Center. Services include:

A social hour, in which fruit, coffee and donuts are provided free of charge
A 'walk-in'clinic for patients who could not make an appointment
Medication injections for those receiving long-acting medications
A support group, which patients may attend any time
A psychotherapy group for those able to attend regularly
Case management services

The following clinical services are provided at other times during the week:

Utilization of the wide array of clinical services within the Medical Center to assure an accurate diagnosis and institute the most effective treatment regimen
Individual psychotherapy and other psychotherapy groups (The latter are more focused, for instance, on bereavement, divorce, or caring for grandchildren)
Family and marital therapy
Case management services
24-hour availability of a psychiatrist to handle emergencies
Inpatient (locked) psychiatric unit for persons requiring inpatient care
Weekly and bi-weekly blood drawing for patients taking clozapine

Research and Training Programs

The University conducts research into different aspects of the causes, consequences and treatments of mental illness. This research is carefully reviewed by human rights committees. No person is expected to participate in research, and will not be involved unless he/she is competent, fully aware of the risks/benefits and provides informed consent.

The Department runs an inpatient clinical research program in collaboration with the University of Illinois. The 14-bed inpatient unit is jointly staffed by the two institutions. The University of Chicago program is directed by Dr. Morris Goldman, who conducts animal and human studies designed to ameliorate the life-threatening water imbalance experienced by many patients with schizophrenia, and to establish its cause and its relationship to the underlying neuropsychiatric disorder.

Appointments and Information

Persons with questions about clinical programs and research should call (773) 702-3858.