Pathways to care for first-episode psychosis in an early detection healthcare sector: part of the Scandinavian TIPS study.
BACKGROUND
Early detection programmes aim to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) by public education and by prompt access to treatment via active outreach detection teams.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether those with first-episode psychosis in an early detection healthcare area with existing referral channels differ from those who access care via detection teams.


METHODS
Those with first-episode psychosis recruited via detection teams were compared with those accessing treatment via conventional channels, at baseline and after 3 months of acute treatment.


RESULTS
Patients recruited via detection teams are younger males with a longer DUP, a less dramatic symptom picture and better functioning; however they recover more slowly, and have more symptoms at 3-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
After establishing low threshold active case-seeking detection teams, we found clear differences between those patients entering treatment via detection teams v. those obtaining treatment via the usual channels. Such profiling may be informative for early detection service development.
Johannessen
Jan Olav
JO
Division of Psychiatry, General Hospital of Rogaland, Armauer Hanssens vei 20, 4000 Stavanger, Norway. jojo@sir.no
Larsen
Tor K
TK
Joa
Inge
I
Melle
Ingrid
I
Friis
Svein
S
Opjordsmoen
Stein
S
Rund
Bjørn Rishovd
BR
Simonsen
Erik
E
Vaglum
Per
P
McGlashan
Thomas H
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy