Unit of Schizophrenia

The Schizophrenia Unit at the Hospital Clínic (BCSU-Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit) is led by the Institute of Neurosciences (ICN). The Unit specializes in patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses.  This group of psychotic disorders has a high prevalence, between 1 and 1.3%, and an annual incidence of 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The Unit has achieved a position of excellence at national level in healthcare, teaching and research. From a healthcare perspective, the Unit has been a pioneer in biological treatments, in the care of first psychotic episodes of schizophrenia (with active participation in the CatSalut Specific Care Programme for Incipient Psychotic Disorders or PAE-TPI), in the development of refractory algorithms and treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), medical and obstetric comorbidity (pregnant patients affected by psychosis) and the study and care of psychosis in childhood and adolescence. 

The Unit also has expertise in neurocognitive rehabilitation interventions. The professionals have participated in the development of clinical guidelines and consensus statements for various scientific societies and act as consultants for several health agencies and health plans, such as the Mental Health and Addictions Master Plan of the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat) and the National Health System (SNS). They also participate in European networks such as EU-GEI. The Unit has been evaluated by external and independent entities and received the Best in Class Award for the Best Schizophrenia Unit (2011) from the SNS.

The Schizophrenia Unit treats over 1,200 outpatients each year, of whom 220 are first-time visitors, and it also carries out 6,000 follow-up visits.  There are around 120-130 hospital discharges per year and some 1,500 sessions are held at the Day Hospital.