BACKGROUND: Almost 75% of schizophrenia patients do not comply with their prescribed treatment leading to high relapse rates. Patient centered care (PCC) incorporates patient priorities into treatment decisions, and has been proposed as a means to enhance compliance and improve health outcomes among patients with schizophrenia. PCC requires that patient objectives, priorities, and desired outcomes be quantified and incorporated into treatment decisions. Patient priorities for the treatment of schizophrenia have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To identify the spectrum of patient objectives and priorities associated with the treatment of schizophrenia. METHODS: Data was collected across Germany in two stages: focus groups (n=30) and individual in-depth patient interviews (n=25). Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had been diagnosed with schizophrenia had undergone treatment with an antipsychotic medication for at least one year and, their disease was stable. The focus group interviews were used to identify key attributes. These key attributes were then quantified by a card sort exercise in individual interviews. Results were analyzed using modified version of the Borda Count on a scale from 0 to 100 and validated by triangulation methods. RESULTS: Focus group interviews identified 13 objectives of primary importance to the patient. The card sorting exercise during the in-depth interviews yielded the top five attributes: therapeutic minimization of symptoms (75.43), ability to concentrate/ think clearly (75.34), ability to participate in social activities (69.93), alliance with physician (66.19), and avoiding acute symptoms (62.62). The scores ranged from 29.42 to 74.43 out of a possible 100 points. CONCLUSIONS: Traditionally, treatment for schizophrenia has focused on remission of symptoms; however, patient's top priorities involve the processes of care. Addressing patient's priorities and improving the entire treatment pathway will likely lead to increased compliance with treatments and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.