Integrating primary care and early intervention in psychosis services: a general practitioner perspective

Earlier detection and treatment of psychosis is associated with improved health outcomes. While the role of specialist services to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment has been extensively described internationally, little data on their impact on general practice has been reported. A new specialist service for psychosis - the 'Dublin East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT)'- has recently been established. This study aimed to describe general practitioners' (GPs) attitudes towards working within the catchment area of an early intervention service.

A purposive sample of GPs practising in DETECT's catchment area was identified from the Irish Medical Directory and invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. The sampling parameters were solo/practice and area of practice. Participants were provided with information regarding the new service and a range of educational material. Each interview was reviewed by two researchers who identified dominant themes. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Irish College of GPs.

16 GPs were interviewed. The DETECT early intervention model was identified as reducing the challenges of managing psychosis in primary care including the practical difficulties of accessing psychiatric assessment and the pervasive effect of stigma. Participants viewed communication between primary and specialist care as essential to the success of early intervention services.

General Practice has an important role in early detection of psychosis and accessing timely psychiatric evaluations of suspected psychosis. Increasing awareness among GPs and ensuring the early intervention model is responsive to primary care can support this role.