Pathways to care in first episode psychosis

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Services Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services are crucial for improving outcomes.
• Understanding service user and carer experiences during the onset of psychosis is vital for service development.
• Local context is important for tailoring EIP services effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey the experiences of service users and carers during the initial phase of psychosis onset.
• To identify barriers and facilitators in accessing early help for psychosis.
• To inform the development of responsive local EIP services in Rotherham.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods survey involving 18 service users and 12 carers.
• Data collection through questionnaires and interviews.
• Analysis of themes related to help-seeking experiences and treatment received.

Main Results:

• Service users and carers recognized early psychosis signs but encountered significant help-seeking frustrations.
• Key themes included young age of onset (mean 17.2 years), poor primary care recognition, treatment delays due to substance misuse, and inappropriate adult ward admissions.
• Lack of knowledge about appropriate services and unhelpful professional responses were common barriers.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight critical gaps in early recognition and treatment within primary care.
• Substance misuse complicates timely intervention, requiring integrated care approaches.
• Local EIP services must be developed to be responsive to user and carer needs, addressing identified barriers.