title: Initiatives to shorten duration of untreated psychosis: systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is common and associated with  poor outcomes. Strategies to enhance early detection of first-episode  psychosis have been advocated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate initiatives for early detection of psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of available evidence on the effectiveness of early  detection initiatives to reduce the DUP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The review included 11 studies which evaluated 8 early detection  initiatives. Evidence suggests that general practitioner education campaigns  and dedicated early intervention services do not by themselves reduce DUP or  generate more treated cases. Evidence for multifocus initiatives is mixed:  intensive campaigns targeting the general public as well as relevant  professionals may be needed. No studies evaluated initiatives targeting young  people or professionals from non-health organisations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  How early detection can be achieved is not clear. Evidence is most  promising for intensive public awareness campaigns: these require organisation  and resourcing at a regional or national level. More good-quality studies are  needed to address gaps in knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK. b.lloyd-evans@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Brynmor
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lloyd-Evans
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stockton
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pilling
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinton
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors