title: Recommendations for the optimal care of patients with recent-onset psychosis in the Asia-Pacific region.
abstract: Providing optimal care to patients with recent-onset psychosis can improve outcomes and reduce relapse. However, there is a lack of consistency of the implementation of guidelines for such patients across the Asia-Pacific region. We determined a pragmatic set of recommendations for use on a day-to-day basis to help provide optimal care at this crucial stage of illness. The recommendations were developed over a series of meetings by an international faculty of 15 experts from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and South Africa. A structured search of the PubMed database was conducted. This was further developed based on the faculty's clinical experience and knowledge of the literature into 10 key aspects of optimal care for patients during the first five years of a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, with particular relevance to the Asia-Pacific region. Several common principles emerged: adherence to antipsychotic medications is crucial; substance abuse, psychiatric and medical comorbidities should be addressed; psychosocial interventions play a pivotal role; and family members can play a vital role in overall patient care. By following these recommendations, clinicians may improve outcomes for patients with recent-onset psychosis.
authors.affiliation: Kwai Chung Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Tak Lam
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Hobart and Southern CMHT, Tasmanian Health Organisation - South, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warden
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yanling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychopharmacology, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking, China.
authors.forename: Tianmei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Si
authors.affiliation: Hon. CEO, Richmond Fellowship Society, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Seshadri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalyanasundaram
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry SRM University, Kattankulathur, India.
authors.forename: Manickam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thirunavukarasu
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry National General Hospital, Ciptomangunkusumo/Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Nurmiati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatim
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emsley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olivares
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen Kuang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Ronnachai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kongsakon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Castle
mesh_terms: D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D006801:Humans; D044349:Oceania; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: adherence; evidence-based practice; expert consensus; first-episode; schizophrenia