Adapting Evidence-Based Early Psychosis Intervention Services for Virtual Delivery: Protocol for a Pragmatic Mixed...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Digital Health Interventions
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Early psychosis intervention (EPI) is standard care for youth with psychosis.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid transition of in-person EPI services to virtual delivery.
• Limited evidence exists on adapting EPI models and their effectiveness in virtual formats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore adaptations for delivering the NAVIGATE coordinated specialty care model virtually.
• To evaluate the implementation of virtual NAVIGATE, assessing intervention modifications, fidelity, and satisfaction.
• To investigate barriers, facilitators, service engagement, and health equity impacts of virtual NAVIGATE.

Main Methods:

• The NAVIGATE model was adapted for virtual delivery at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
• Adaptations were described using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications for Evidence-Based Interventions.
• Fidelity, satisfaction, barriers, facilitators, service engagement, and health equity were assessed using mixed methods.

Main Results:

• Virtual clinical delivery of NAVIGATE commenced in March 2020, with ongoing data collection and analysis.
• Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and survival analysis.
• Qualitative data will undergo thematic content analysis, with integrated findings.

Conclusions:

• This study will detail necessary adaptations for virtual NAVIGATE delivery for youth with early psychosis.
• Findings will inform future virtual implementation of EPI services, ensuring care continuity.
• The research aims to maintain high-quality care access for this population during and after the pandemic.