Another problem with the CATIE trial is that, consistent with current drug development practices, the CATIE investigators uncritically assumed that “psychosocial practices … augment pharmacotherapy” (52, 55). Rather, in treating schizophrenic patients, considerable research evidence shows that psychosocial factors, with necessary but adjunctive support from pharmacotherapies, play primary roles against disabilities from these psychiatric disorders. By testing for drug effects without regard to the psychosocial context, the CATIE results may have failed to inform clinicians how best to maximize efficacy, because both drug and environment influence the patient.
