title: Effects on referral patterns of reducing intensive informational campaigns about first-episode psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study was to assess referral patterns and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) following the partial dismantling of intensive, information campaigns (IC) to help detect first-episode, non-affective psychosis via early detection teams in the TIPS study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared referral patterns of potential cases from the same geographical region (Rogaland County, Norway) referred to low-threshold, rapid-response detection teams at three timepoints: early-IC period (1997-1998), late-IC period (1999-2000) and the no-IC period (2002-2003).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase occurred in the total number of phone calls, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)-interviews and referrals from families from the early-to the late-IC period. A comparison of the late-IC period versus no-IC period showed a significant decrease in the number of PANSS-interviews administered, as well as fewer cases referred to the assessment teams. Additionally, a significant decline occurred in the number of referrals from general physicians, whereas the number of direct referrals to the hospital units increased. The DUP increased from a median of 5 to 14 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  External referrals to easy access detection teams occurred more frequently when IC were intensive, especially referrals from families and general practitioners. A shorter DUP was observed in the IC period, suggesting the importance of IC in augmenting the effectiveness of detection teams in identifying first-episode psychosis early in the course of illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Stavanger, Norway. ijo@sir.no
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Joa
authors.forename: Jan Olav
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Auestad
authors.forename: Svein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: Stein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Opjordsmoen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vaglum
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McGlashan
authors.forename: Tor K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Larsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*