Oral

The Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program is a multi-site effectiveness study to develop the evidence necessary to validate as standard practice early intervention to prevent psychosis. A National Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, EDIPPP provides community and professional education for identifying youth-at-risk and obtaining rapid access to treatment for those identified. The clinical approach includes evidence-based family psychoeducation, family-aided assertive community treatment, supported education, employment, and psychotropic medication by symptom indication. The model program in Maine has achieved high rates of community referrals, patient engagement, retention, symptom reduction, improved functioning, and low rates of conversion. There is evidence of a relative reduction in incidence of psychosis. Six organizations across the United States have been selected to test the system: Maine Medical Center, Portland; University of California, Davis; Washtenaw Community Health, Ypsilanti, Michigan; Mid-Valley Behavioral Care, Salem, Oregon; Zucker Hillside Hospital, Queens, NY; and The Mind Institute, Albuquerque, NM. The research design includes recruiting 375 at-risk youth in defined catchment areas, determining level of risk with the SIPS/SOPS criteria1, assignment to treatment vs. control conditions by severity of positive symptoms, and testing by [1] regression discontinuity; [2] incidence differences between control and experimental catchment areas; and [3] cost-effectiveness. This is possibly the largest and most comprehensive trial of an indicated prevention strategy for psychosis. We will describe the project’s theoretical and empirical foundations, study design, early results of community education and referral, and multi-site patient enrollment and sample characteristics at the one-year point.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of this panel presentation, learners will understand the importance of early intervention in psychotic disorders, recognize the role to be played by the study presented in determining effectiveness in real world settings, and articulate the study design and early results of community education initiatives.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing