JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

Studies have demonstrated that, for patients with psychosis, a majority of the decline in health status and functioning emerges during the first few years after illness onset. This knowledge led to the development of specialized early intervention services (EIS) targeting patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP). The central component of EIS is often assertive case management delivered by a multidisciplinary team, where an appointed key worker is responsible for coordinating treatment and delivering various psychosocial interventions to service users.

Objective:

The paper outlines the protocol for a feasibility study examining how key workers, may enhance physical health by supporting integration between primary and secondary care.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholder groups (GPs and healthcare professionals working in mental health services). The interviews informed the development of the ‘complex intervention’ involving a longitudinal pre-post intervention in eight general practices in two regions in Ireland (one urban and one rural). Patients with first episode psychosis will be identified from clinical records at general practices and mental health services. Baseline and follow up data (at 6-months) will be collected, examining measures of feasibility, acceptability and intervention effect size.

Results:

The study findings have the potential to provide important information on how key workers might enhance collaboration between primary and secondary care to improve outcomes for patients with first episode psychosis.

Conclusions:

Study findings will inform future practice by examining feasibility of key workers enhancing physical health through improved interaction between primary and secondary care. By identifying issues involved in enhancing recruitment and retention, as well as the likely effect size, the study will inform a future definitive intervention.