Abstract
PURPOSE: An original health education program, developed for a group of patients of forensic psychiatry wards, was the basis for conducting a study on the impact of educational influences on the quality of life of patients long-term isolated from their natural environment. The main aim of the study was to answer the question: Does health education affect the quality of life of patients in forensic psychiatry wards and is educational activity effective? METHODS: The study was conducted at the State Hospital for Mental and Nervous Diseases in Rybnik, Poland, in the forensic psychiatry wards, and lasted from December 2019 to May 2020. During the study, patients gained knowledge in the field of broadly understood health education. The study group consisted of 67 men, aged 22-73, diagnosed with schizophrenia. The method of double measurements (before and after the health education cycle) was applied, using the WHOQOL-BREF scale of quality of life and the first author's questionnaire of patients' knowledge, from the educational program used. RESULTS: Health education does not significantly affect the overall quality of life of patients staying in forensic psychiatry wards, but it does affect their somatic condition. The proprietary health education program is effective because the patients' knowledge has significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of interned patients with schizophrenia is not significantly related to educational activities, however, psychiatric rehabilitation through educational activities effectively increases the level of patients' knowledge.