AIM: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
AIM: 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. CONCLUSION: 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: Vinod H Srihari; Cenk Tek; Jessica Pollard; Suzannah Zimmet; Jane Keat; John D Cahill; Suat Kucukgoncu; Barbara C Walsh; Fangyong Li; Ralitza Gueorguieva; Nina Levine; Raquelle I Mesholam-Gately; Michelle Friedman-Yakoobian; Larry J Seidman; Matcheri S Keshavan; Thomas H McGlashan; Scott W Woods Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2014-12-04 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Vinod H Srihari; Maria Ferrara; Fangyong Li; Emily Kline; Sinan Gülöksüz; Jessica M Pollard; John D Cahill; Walter S Mathis; Laura Yoviene Sykes; Barbara C Walsh; Glen McDermott; Larry J Seidman; Ralitza Gueorguieva; Scott W Woods; Cenk Tek; Matcheri S Keshavan Journal: Schizophr Bull Open Date: 2022-01-04