Reducing the Duration of Untreated Psychosis in the United States: The Impact of Screening and Systematic Communication

BEHAVIORAL

Screening Method (SM)

All consecutive incoming patients ages 12-30 entering mental health services will complete a self-report screener, the PQ-B on intake. The intake clinician will review the PQ-B and refer all patients who endorse 6 or more items for evaluation with the SIPS to determine whether the patient meets criteria for psychosis, CHR, or neither. Evaluating clinicians will meet with patients to discuss findings and make referrals to specialty care as appropriate.

BEHAVIORAL

Screening and Communication Method (SCM)

Clinicians will be trained to discuss findings and provide referrals using the ComPsych model. ComPsych prepares clinicians to effectively communicate diagnostic, prognostic and treatment information about FEP and CHR with patients and families, using a model that instils realistic hope and provides information effectively to encourage shared decision making about treatment. All consecutive patients ages 12-30 entering mental health services will complete a self-report screener, the PQ-B on intake. The intake clinician will review the PQ-B and refer all patients who endorse 6 or more items for evaluation with the SIPS to determine whether the patient meets criteria for psychosis, CHR, or neither. Following the evaluation, the clinician will schedule a session with the patient, their family, and their treatment team (as applicable) and use the ComPsych model to discuss the findings of the evaluation, provide psychoeducation, and make referrals to specialty services, as appropriate.

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP)

Time frame: up to 2 years

The DUP is defined as the time, in weeks, between onset of psychotic symptoms (measured by the Symptom Onset in Schizophrenia Scale) and initiation of FEP treatment (date of intake into Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs for first episode psychosis.

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