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SAMARTH (Uptake and Integration of Task-Shared Care for Schizophrenia in Primary Care Research)

Enhancing Schizophrenia Care: Integrating Psychosocial Rehabilitation with Digital Tools in India's Primary Care

Duration

January 2025- December 2030

Location

Bhopal and Sehore, Madhya Pradesh

Investigators

Contact PI: John Naslund
Sangath PI: Deepak Tugnawat

Contact

Overview

The current study using digital tools, like MindLAMP which tracks mood, behavior, and activities, offering personalized interventions and data-driven insights, aims to integrate shared-care for schizophrenia into primary care.  The research, through a Randomised Controlled Trial, evaluates the effectiveness of delivering COmmunity care for People with Schizophrenia in India (COPSI) intervention with mindLAMP, as compared to COPSI alone. The study also investigates the benefits of digital phenotyping and assesses the sustainability of shared-care. Aligned with the National Mental Health Policy 2017, the study aims to integrate psychosocial rehabilitation for schizophrenia into India's primary care, using digital platforms to improve care effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability.

 

The rationale

Schizophrenia is a major disability driver in resource-constrained countries, heavily impacting low-income individuals reliant on public healthcare. In India, over 3.5 million people live with schizophrenia, with rising prevalence linked to aging and chronic disease burdens. Co-occurring conditions like hypertension and diabetes worsen the impact, and schizophrenia-related mortality is twice that of the general population. Addressing care gaps through psychosocial interventions and community-based programs targeting mental health and chronic conditions is crucial to improving outcomes and reducing disparities.


Progress till date

·        Notice of award from the NIMH received.

·        HMSC approval for the project received.

·        MoU with the NHM, MP under discussion.


Funders and partners


Partners: 

·        NHM, Madhya Pradesh, India

·        NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India

·        Harvard Medical School, USA

·        BIDMC, USA

·        AIIMS Bhopal, India


Funder: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), USA

Funders

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