Youth experiencing a first episode psychosis can achieve full remission of psychosis more than 8 out of 10 times; however, delays to treatment decrease the likelihood of this outcome. Since 1997, the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP) in London Ontario established a 72-hour benchmark whereby all youth who are referred to the early intervention program are offered an appointment within 72 hours. Delivering rapid access to care reduces the duration of untreated psychosis, improving the efficacy of early intervention.
This study is looking at the timely delivery of services in early intervention programs across Canada and the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery and policy. We are conducting semi-structured interviews with program managers and mental health providers from early intervention programs across Canada. Interviews include questions assessing perceived challenges, facilitators, strategies to achieve the 72-hour recommendation, and current program practices. We are also conducting semi-structured interviews with youth and families, which cover topics of awareness of the guaranteed service delivery time policies and experience with rapid access to services.
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