Removing barriers to treatment of first-episode psychotic disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To describe changes aimed at removing barriers to appropriate and timely assessment and treatment of first-episode psychosis (FEP) and to present descriptive data regarding the potential impact of such changes on treated incidence, referral patterns, and treatment delay.


METHODS
We collected demographic and clinical information, including duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), on 196 persons referred for an initial assessment over a 3-year period.


RESULTS
The number of identified FEP cases increased and DUP decreased over the 3-year period. The data suggest a differentially greater reduction in DUP in cases referred from sources other than health care.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that, when setting up programs for FEP, relatively simple changes designed to improve access may improve treated incidence and reduce treatment delays.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. scholten@uwo.ca
Derek J
DJ
Scholten
Ashok K
AK
Malla
Ross M
RM
Norman
Terry S
TS
McLean
Elizabeth M
EM
McIntosh
Chris L
CL
McDonald
Michael
M
Eliasziw
Kathy N
KN
Speechley
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012017:Referral and Consultation