OBJECTIVES: E-STAR is an ongoing, international, observational survey evaluating long-term clinical and economic outcomes in patients switched to a new antipsychotic. METHODS: Data are collected via a secured web-based system, retrospectively for 12-months and prospectively for two-years. Patient demographics, treatment and hospitalisation history, reason for initiating new treatment, Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and adverse event data are collected. RESULTS: Complete baseline and retrospective data are currently available for 1920 patients enrolled: Germany (n=744), Spain (n=709), Australia (n=467). Patients reported here switched to long acting injectable (LAI) risperidone Mean age was 39.5 years (SD 11.8; range 37.5–41); majority were male (mean 61%; range 56–70%). 98% had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (range 98–100%). Mean duration of illness was 10.8 years (SD 9.3; range 9.2–12.6 years). Majority of patients (>80%) at baseline had a CGI-S score of 4–6 indicating that patients were moderately (35%), markedly (34%) or severely (18%) ill. The GAF scores were similar across countries (mean 46; SD 15; range 43–48). There were country differences in hospitalisation history during the 12-month retrospective period: 28%, 70%, and 17% of patients in Germany, Spain and Australia respectively had no hospitalisations; for patients with hospitalisations, the mean number of days hospitalised per patient was 58.2 (SD 53.1), 38.3 (SD 51.1), and 66.9 (SD 90.3) respectively. Prior to the switch to (LAI) risperidone, 67–90% patients were taking oral atypicals, 27–35% oral conventionals, and 22–52% depot conventionals. The most frequent reason for switching was compliance: Germany (37%), Australia (52%), Spain (30%). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance remains an important treatment issue even for those treated with atypicals. Continued enrollment, and follow-up will enable a better understanding of a broader range of treatment patterns in schizophrenic patients