title: Ethnic variations in pathways into early intervention services for psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethnic variations have previously been identified in the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and pathways into psychiatric services. These have not been examined in the context of early intervention services, which may alter these trajectories.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore ethnic differences in the nature and duration of pathways into early intervention services.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a naturalistic cohort study, data were collected for 1024 individuals with psychotic disorders accepted for case management by eight London early intervention services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Duration of untreated psychosis was prolonged in the White British group compared with most other ethnic groups. White British individuals were more likely to make contact with their general practitioner and less likely to be seen within emergency medical services. All Black patient groups were more likely than their White British counterparts to experience involvement of criminal justice agencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variations continue to exist in how and when individuals from different ethnic groups access early intervention services. These may account for disparities in DUP.
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK. sharifghali@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Sharif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghali
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: Barnaby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Major
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Sujata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.forename: Brock
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chisholm
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rahaman
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papada
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bloy
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marlowe
authors.forename: Katherine J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Aitchison
authors.forename: Paddy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors