Early intervention in psychosis: specialized intervention and early case identification

Specialized early intervention (SEI) approach to treatment of a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) consists of two equally important components, namely, a phase specific treatment program and early case identification. In this article we report a brief update on our knowledge about both aspects of SEI services. We then provide a description of a prototypical SEI service within the Canadian context, examine the pathways to care for patients with FEP and report on different methods of reducing delay in treatment. We also provide a description of a novel method of reducing delay in treatment using principles of academic detailing targeting all health care and educational services within a defined catchment area in combination with quick access to the SEI service.