Prescription Digital Therapeutics in Schizophrenia: A Managed Care Perspective on Advancements

This activity includes a social worker perspective video interview.

Program Description
Many patients with schizophrenia struggle with debilitating residual symptoms, treatment-related adverse effects, and difficulty with adherence to therapy as schizophrenia requires lifelong management, even when symptoms are not evident. Traditional treatment options for schizophrenia might require frequent in-person visits, which can increase treatment burden for patients or pose access barriers. Prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) are emerging as a powerful tool for mental health conditions. This article will explore their potential use particularly in schizophrenia to alleviate negative symptoms, as well as in reducing the clinical and socioeconomic burden of the disorder. Managed care professionals should recognize the opportunity for PDTs to bridge gaps in care as a complementary tool by improving access to individualized and effective care. Yet, there remain challenges to PDTs, such as long-term patient utilization, establishing pathways for insurance coverage for digital interventions, and clinical practice guidance. This supplement reviews current treatments for psychotic (positive), negative, and cognitive symptoms and advantages and challenges in the use of emerging PDTs in schizophrenia care paradigms. A social worker perspective interview accompanies this supplement and highlights opportunities for care coordination, helping patients navigate the health care system, and providing other services and support to empower patients with schizophrenia to manage their illness and improve their quality of life.

Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: September 23, 2024
Expiration date: September 23, 2025
Learner level: Foundational
Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish the characteristics of negative and cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia.
• Explore the burden and treatment challenges of schizophrenia.
• Examine the clinical data supporting the efficacy and safety of prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) that target unmet needs in the management of schizophrenia.
• Illustrate opportunities for managed care pharmacists to mitigate the clinical and economic impact of schizophrenia while enhancing access to emerging PDTs to alleviate negative and cognitive symptoms.