The PANSS is based on findings that schizophrenia comprises at least two distinct syndromes. The positive syndrome, consisting of productive symptoms, and the negative syndrome, consisting of deficit features.
This distinction is useful when developing treatment plans because you can focus on the type of symptoms the patient is experiencing.
It is also useful when studying the effects of medication (eg in clinical drug trials) because it allows you to determine which types of symptoms are being affected.
You have the option of using the standard Dimensional scoring or the new Pentagonal method of scoring.
The Pentagonal model is the result of recent research. It uses 25 PANSS items organised into five sacles. Negative, Positive, Dysphoric Mood, Activation and Autistic Preoccupation.
Structured Clinical Interview for PANSS (SCI-PANSS)
To optimise the instrument's objectivity, the SCI-PANSS was developed to secure reliable information. The SCI-PANSS interview can be used to gather information objectively prior to completing the PANSS assessment.
Informant Questionnaire (IQ-PANSS)
The IQ-PANSS evaluates phenomenological presentation. Through item definitions, statements and questions, the questionnaire ensures that all information related to behavioural presence, frequency and responsiveness is obtained during interviews with family members, healthcare providers or other informants.