The major reason for lack of knowledge in outpatient treatment in mental health, is that research on clinical decision making (CDM) in health care has primarily focused upon well-defined situations in physical conditions, while there has not been researched in clinical decision making in people with severe mental illness with its high demands on treatment adherence and therapeutic relationships.

This study is about clinical decision making in outpatient mental health care with specific focus on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

To identify the style of decision making between patient and clinician (paternalistic, shared and informed). Investigate the patient's understanding of the decision making and identification of factors leading to this understanding. Furthermore the study will include an analysis of style of decision making as a possible predictor of adherence to treatment.

The study is an open, explorative study using a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. the study population consists of severe mentally ill outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Data consist of questionnaires, field observation and patient interviews.

Specifications of primary areas for further improvement in CDM is an expected result of the study. Recommendations will be extracted and formulated from the study data to implement elements of best practice in CDM in the routine care for people with schizophrenia in particular and severe mental illness in general. the explicit focus will contribute to strengthening of the patient perspective.