Gerard E. Hogarty (1935--2006): combining science and humanism to improve the care of persons with schizophrenia

Abstract

Gerard E. Hogarty was a scholar and clinician whose career was dedicated to improving the lives of persons with schizophrenia through the rigorous development and testing of novel psychosocial treatment approaches. During the course of his career, he is credited with the development of many of the psychosocial treatments that have become the pillars of evidence-based practices for schizophrenia today. This review outlines the evolution of Hogarty's contributions to the development of psychosocial approaches for schizophrenia by presenting a chronological history of the 4 distinct treatments he developed during the course of his career. These include major role therapy, an early precursor to clinical case management; family psychoeducation, an approach to ally with and educate family members to reduce intrafamilial distress; personal therapy, a flexible, individual psychotherapy, aimed at teaching patients stress management and affective regulation techniques; and finally, cognitive enhancement therapy, a comprehensive, developmental approach to the remediation of social- and nonsocial-cognitive deficits. Each of these treatments built upon the findings of the previous one, and as a consequence, each significantly improved the lives of persons with schizophrenia and expanded the treatment possibilities available to such individuals. These efforts represent a lifelong dedication to advancing the treatment of schizophrenia through rigorous scientific inquiry and exemplify a unique combination of science and humanism that has left a lasting impact on the field and the lives of many individuals suffering from this disease.