title: Early intervention in psychosis: specialized intervention and early case identification.
abstract: Specialized early intervention (SEI) approach to treatment of a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) consists of two equally important components, namely, a phase specific treatment program and early case identification. In this article we report a brief update on our knowledge about both aspects of SEI services. We then provide a description of a prototypical SEI service within the Canadian context, examine the pathways to care for patients with FEP and report on different methods of reducing delay in treatment. We also provide a description of a novel method of reducing delay in treatment using principles of academic detailing targeting all health care and educational services within a defined catchment area in combination with quick access to the SEI service.
authors.affiliation: Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. ashok.malla@douglas.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malla
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Vracotas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joober
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008403:Mass Screening; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents