Studies of the Therapist's Role in the Treatment of the Schizophrenic Patient

The relationship between the personality of the physician and that of the patient in determining the outcome of psychotherapy has been of interest to many investigators. Primary attention in this paper is paid to studies designed to identify qualities in the physician's personality that seem most likely to evoke favorable clinical response from schizophrenic patients. In one study, utilizing the Strong Vocational Interest Inventory, it was found that physicians scoring high in interest patterns for lawyer and Certified Public Accountant and low for printer and mathematics and physical science teacher were more successful in treating schizophrenic patients than physicians with inverse scores. A rationale for such findings is considered.