Pathways to care for those at clinical high risk of developing psychosis

Early Interv Psychiatry. 2013 Feb;7(1):80-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2012.00368.x. Epub 2012 Jun 28.

Abstract

Aim: Understanding the pathways to care is a prerequisite for early detection in first-episode patients with psychosis. Less in known about the pathways to care for individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.

Methods: A sample of 35 clinical high risks for psychosis individuals were administered a semistructured questionnaire inquiring about pathways to care.

Results: The majority of contacts were made to general practitioners (32.8%). Various symptoms of concern were reported among the sample, the most common being depression (15.9%) followed by anxiety (11.0%). Delusions/paranoia were the most frequent symptoms associated with successful referral to contacts (14.3%).

Conclusion: Education on the pathway to successful access to care and treatment in a putatively prodromal for psychosis group of individuals is valuable information that can potentially aid in a faster discovery of these individuals and their access to treatment and care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychotic Disorders / therapy*
  • Risk
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Symptom Assessment