Adapting and Improving Transition Care for First Episode Psychosis
University of Chicago
Summary
This study is testing a new approach to help people with first episode psychosis transition successfully from the hospital to outpatient mental health care. Many patients lose contact with services after they leave the hospital, which can lead to worse outcomes. The investigators have developed a Transition Care Team (TCT) that works with patients while they are in the hospital and continues to support them after discharge. The team provides therapy, case management, and coordination with community programs that offer ongoing care. The main goal of the study is to find out if this new program increases the number of patients who successfully begin outpatient treatment after hospitalization, compared to usual care. The investigators will also look at whether the program improves symptoms, functioning, and overall well-being.
Description
For individuals experiencing the onset of a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia, the period of time around their first hospitalization and subsequent stabilization in outpatient care is a critical juncture for establishing the trajectory of their recovery. Engaging early and consistently in care not only yields more rapid stabilization of symptoms, but it is also associated with improved long-term prognosis and better quality of life. In recent years, the field has focused on developing a gold standard outpatient treatment model for individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosi…