Through COVID-19 and beyond: developing a multidisciplinary telehealth family intervention in first episode psychosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Donal O’Keeffe ◽  
David Marshall ◽  
Andrew Wheeler ◽  
Eoghan Allen ◽  
Helena Ronan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Family Intervention ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Descriptive Account ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Telehealth Intervention ◽  
Early Intervention In Psychosis

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges to high quality, safe Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service provision. Due to the necessity to ensure EIP continues despite this, we developed a multidisciplinary, blended, telehealth intervention, incorporating psychoeducation and peer support, for family members of first episode psychosis service users: PERCEPTION. This perspective article aims to: describe PERCEPTION; offer reflections on our experience of delivering it; make recommendations for future research; and synthesise key learning to assist the integration of similar interventions in other EIP services. We provide a descriptive account of PERCEPTION’s development and implementation, with reflections from the clinicians involved, on supporting families using this approach. We experienced telehealth as patient-focused, safe, and efficient and believe the intervention’s blended nature augmented families’ engagement. The approach adopted can assist service providers to attain balance between protecting public health and offering a meaningful, therapeutic intervention to support families in the current epoch.

Retrospective study of first episode psychosis in the Dublin Southwest Mental Health Service: demographics, clinical profile and service evaluation of treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-M. Clarke ◽  
P. McLaughlin ◽  
J. Staunton ◽  
K. Kerins ◽  
B. Power ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Family Intervention ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Duration Of Untreated Psychosis ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Healthcare Monitoring

ObjectiveIn Ireland, National Clinical Programmes are being established to improve and standardise patient care throughout the Health Service Executive. In line with internationally recognised guidelines on the treatment of first episode psychosis the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) programme is being drafted with a view to implementation by mental health services across the country. We undertook a review of patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis to the Dublin Southwest Mental Health Service before the implementation of the EIP. This baseline information will be used to measure the efficacy of our EIP programme.MethodsPatients who presented with a first episode psychosis were retrospectively identified through case note reviews and consultation with treating teams. We gathered demographic and clinical information from patients as well as data on treatment provision over a 2-year period from the time of first presentation. Data included age at first presentation, duration of untreated psychosis, diagnosis, referral source, antipsychotic prescribing rates and dosing, rates of provision of psychological interventions and standards of physical healthcare monitoring. Outcome measures with regards to rates of admission over a 2-year period following initial presentation were also recorded.ResultsIn total, 66 cases were identified. The majority were male, single, unemployed and living with their family or spouse. The mean age at first presentation was 31 years with a mean duration of untreated psychosis of 17 months. Just under one-third were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Approximately half of the patients had no contact with a health service before presentation. The majority of patients presented through the emergency department. Two-thirds of all patients had a hospital admission within 2 years of presentation and almost one quarter of patients had an involuntary admission. The majority of patients were prescribed antipsychotic doses within recommended British National Formulary guidelines. Most patients received individual support through their keyworker and family intervention was provided in the majority of cases. Only a small number received formal Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. Physical healthcare monitoring was insufficiently recorded in the majority of patients.ConclusionsThere is a shortage of information on the profile and treatment of patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis in Ireland. This baseline information is important in evaluating the efficacy of any new programme for this patient group. Many aspects of good practice were identified within the service in particular with regards to the appropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medication and the rates of family intervention. Deficiencies remain however in the monitoring of physical health and the provision of formal psychological interventions to patients. With the implementation of an EIP programme it is hoped that service provision would improve nationwide and to internationally recognised standards.

scholarly journals Introducing a family intervention to elderly with first episode psychosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1899-1900
Author(s):  
Tuula Saarela ◽  
Monica Johansson ◽  
Ullamarja Louhija ◽  
Björn Appelberg ◽  
Kati Juva
Keyword(s):  
Family Communication ◽  
Family Intervention ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Family Interventions ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
The Family

Schizophrenia guidelines list family interventions as an efficient means in reducing relapses. Interventions aim to help families cope with their relative's problems more effectively, provide support and education, and reduce levels of distress and improve the family communication (see deHaanet al., 2002).

scholarly journals First-episode psychosis: primary care experience and implications for service development

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 165-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamdouh El-Adl ◽  
John Burke ◽  
Karen Little
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Psychiatric Service ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Early Intervention In Psychosis

Aim and MethodsTo capture the local primary care experience of first-episode psychosis before developing a local early intervention in psychosis service. A survey of Northamptonshire general practitioners (GPs) using a confidential questionnaire was carried out.ResultsOut of 284 GPs, 123 (43%) responded. General practitioners are unlikely to start treatment before referring to a specialist service: 63 GPs (51% of responders) start treatment in 10% or less of individuals with first-episode psychosis and 19 (15.5%) GPs start treatment in 75% or more before referring them to psychiatric service; 42 GPs (34%) refer those who request/accept a referral and 66 GPs (53%) refer all even if they refuse. Overall, 92 GPs (74%) agreed that an early intervention in psychosis service is needed and 77 (63%) GPs welcome having a mental health clinic in their surgery.Clinical ImplicationsIndividuals are more likely to accept referral to a psychiatric service if offered than to ask for it. People disengaging, stigma, the service being difficult to access/inappropriate and carers' lack of knowledge about mental illness are the likely causes for delayed referral.

scholarly journals Cannabis use and first-episode psychosis: relationship with manic and psychotic symptoms, and with age at presentation

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Stone ◽  
H. L. Fisher ◽  
B. Major ◽  
B. Chisholm ◽  
J. Woolley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Manic Symptoms ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Early Intervention In Psychosis

BackgroundCannabis use has been reported to be associated with an earlier onset of symptoms in patients with first-episode psychosis, and a worse outcome in those who continue to take cannabis. In general, studies have concentrated on symptoms of psychosis rather than mania. In this study, using a longitudinal design in a large naturalistic cohort of patients with first-episode psychosis, we investigated the relationship between cannabis use, age of presentation to services, daily functioning, and positive, negative and manic symptoms.MethodClinical data on 502 patients with first-episode psychosis were collected using the MiData audit database from seven London-based Early Intervention in psychosis teams. Individuals were assessed at two time points – at entry to the service and after 1 year. On each occasion, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale disability subscale were rated. At both time points, the use of cannabis and other drugs of abuse in the 6 months preceding each assessment was recorded.ResultsLevel of cannabis use was associated with a younger age at presentation, and manic symptoms and conceptual disorganization, but not with delusions, hallucinations, negative symptoms or daily functioning. Cannabis users who reduced or stopped their use following contact with services had the greatest improvement in symptoms at 1 year compared with continued users and non-users. Continued users remained more symptomatic than non-users at follow-up.ConclusionsEffective interventions for reducing cannabis use may yield significant health benefits for patients with first-episode psychosis.

First-episode psychosis intervention – description of our early intervention model

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s823-s823
Author(s):  
B. Melo ◽  
C. Alves Pereira ◽  
R. Cajão ◽  
J. Ribeiro Silva ◽  
S. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Relapse Rate ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Child Psychiatrist ◽  
Duration Of Untreated Psychosis ◽  
Intervention Model ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
Early Intervention In Psychosis

IntroductionThe research about the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment of first-episode psychosis had significantly increased in last decades. There have been several early intervention programs in psychotic disease, implemented worldwide, in order to improve the prognosis of these psychotic patients.ObjectivesTo present a brief description of the first-episode psychosis intervention team of Tondela-Viseu Hospital Centre–Portugal and its model. We aim to further characterize our population and describe its evolution since 2008.AimsWe aim to clarify the benefits of an early intervention in psychosis.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients being followed by our team from November 2008 to September 2016. Demographic and medical data were collected (such as diagnosis, duration of untreated psychosis, treatments and its clinical effectiveness, relapse rate and hospital admissions) in patient's clinical records. The intervention model protocol of this team was also described and analyzed.ResultsThis multidisciplinary team consists of three psychiatrists, one child Psychiatrist, one psychologist and five reference therapists (areas of nursing, social service and occupational therapy). It includes patients diagnosed with first-episode psychosis, aged 16 to 42 years old, followed for five years. The team followed, since its foundation, 123 patients, mostly male. The most prevalent diagnosis are schizophrenia and schizophreniform psychosis. The team is currently following 51 patients.ConclusionsThis team's intervention have progressively assumed a more relevant importance in the prognosis of patients with first-episode psychosis, by reducing the duration of untreated psychosis, the relapse rate and by promoting social reintegration.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Carer subjective burden after first-episode psychosis: Types and predictors. A multilevel statistical approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402093004
Author(s):  
Shereen Charles ◽  
James B Kirkbride ◽  
Juliana Onwumere ◽  
Natasha Lyons ◽  
Lai Chu Man ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Self Report ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Carer Burden ◽  
Regression Modelling ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Early Intervention In Psychosis

Background: Carer burden at first-episode psychosis is common and adds to the multiple other psychiatric and psychological problems that beset new carers; yet, knowledge of the factors that predict carer burden is limited. Aim: This study sought to investigate the types and predictors of carer burden at first-episode psychosis in the largest, most ethnically diverse and comprehensively characterised sample to date. Method: This study involved a cross-sectional survey of carers of people with first-episode psychosis presenting to Harrow and Hillingdon Early Intervention in Psychosis service between 2011 and 2017. Carers completed self-report measures assessing their illness beliefs, coping styles and caregiving experiences (i.e. burden). Thirty carer and patient sociodemographic and clinical factors were also collected. Mixed effects linear regression modelling was conducted to account for clustering of carers by patient, with carer burden (and its 8 subtypes) investigated as dependent variables. Results: The sample included data on 254 carers (aged 18–74 years) and 198 patients (aged 14–36 years). Regression modelling identified 35 significant predictors of carer burden and its subtypes at first-episode psychosis. Higher total burden was independently predicted by perceiving greater negative consequences of the illness for the patient (B = .014, p < .001, 95% CI: [.010–.018]) and the carer (B = .008, p = .002, 95% CI: [.003–.013]), and engaging in avoidant-focussed coping (B = .010, p = .006, 95% CI: [.003–.016]). Lower burden was independently predicted by patients being in a relationship (B = −.075, p = .047, 95% CI: [−.149 to −.001]). Predictors of the eight burden subtypes (difficult behaviours, negative symptoms, stigma, problems with services, effects on family, dependency, loss and need to backup) are also included in the article. Conclusion: Findings can be used to inform the identification of carers ‘at-risk’ of experiencing burden and highlight potential targets for theraputic intervention to lower carer buden.

A systematic review of longitudinal outcome studies of first-episode psychosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1349-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. MENEZES ◽  
T. ARENOVICH ◽  
R. B. ZIPURSKY
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Psychosocial Therapy ◽  
Longitudinal Outcome ◽  
Episode Psychosis

Background. Existing outcome literature has had an over-representation of chronic patients and suggested a progressive course and poor outcome for schizophrenia. The current study aimed to recombine data of samples from longitudinal studies of first-episode psychosis (FEP) to describe outcome and its predictors.Method. A literature search (1966–2003) was conducted for prospective studies examining outcome in first-episode non-affective psychosis using the following key words: early, first, incident, episode, admission, contact, psychosis, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, course, outcome, follow-up, longitudinal, cohort. These were pooled and analyzed using descriptive and regression analyses.Results. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 4100 patients with a mean follow-up of 35·1±6·0 months. Studies varied in the categories of outcome used, the most common being ‘good’ (54% of studies) and ‘poor’ (34% of studies), variably defined. In studies reporting these categories, good outcomes were reported in 42·2% (3·5%) and poor outcomes in 27·1% (2·8%) of cases. Predictors associated with better outcome domains were: combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial therapy, lack of epidemiologic representativeness of the sample, and a developing country of origin. Use of typical neuroleptics was associated with worse outcome. Stratification analyses suggested that populations with schizophrenia only, and those with prospective design, were associated with worse outcome domains.Conclusions. Outcome from FEP may be more favorable than previously reported, and treatment and methodological variables may be important contributors to outcome. Significant heterogeneity in definitions and methodology limited the comparison and pooling of data. A multi-dimensional, globally used definition of outcome is required for future research.

Differential predictors of critical comments and emotional over-involvement in first-episode psychosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Álvarez-Jiménez ◽  
J. F. Gleeson ◽  
S. M. Cotton ◽  
D. Wade ◽  
K. Crisp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Stress ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Burden Of Care ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Episode Psychosis

BackgroundLittle research has focused on delineating the specific predictors of emotional over-involvement (EOI) and critical comments (CC) in the early course of psychosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential relationships of EOI and CC with relevant predictors in relatives of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.MethodBaseline patient-related factors including psychotic symptoms, depression and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and carer attributes comprising CC, EOI, burden of care and carers' stress and depression were assessed in a cohort of 63 remitted FEP patients and their relatives. Carers were reassessed at 7 months follow-up.ResultsBaseline analysis showed that EOI was more strongly correlated with family stress compared with CC, whereas CC yielded a stronger association with DUP than EOI. Carers' CC at follow-up was not significantly predicted by either baseline family stress, burden of care or patient-related variables. Conversely, baseline EOI predicted both family stress and burden of care at 7 months follow-up. Finally, family burden of care at follow-up was a function of baseline EOI and patients' depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary support to the postulate that EOI and CC may be influenced by separate factors early in the course of psychosis and warrant future research and therapeutic interventions as separate constructs. Implications for family interventions in the early phase of psychosis and the prevention of CC and EOI are discussed.

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