Editor's introduction: antipsychotic prescribing practices.

Abstract

This commentary is an introduction to a set of articles reviewing antipsychotic prescribing practices for individuals with schizophrenia, noting where these practice patterns conform to or deviate from evidence-based practice, and identifying the pressing research questions raised by these variations. The delineation of practices supported by the evidence base is crucial for the practical concerns of creating practice guidelines and monitoring performance, as well as for identifying areas where the reach of clinical practice must exceed the grasp of current knowledge. These gaps in knowledge should guide the development of a research agenda that addresses pressing questions commonly confronted in everyday practice. We know from the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) project and other surveys that clinically significant research findings are not making their way into practice. Additionally, as the articles assembled here indicate, questions of pressing importance in routine practice have yet to make their way into research agendas.