The truth, and nothing but the truth, about early intervention in psychosis

Early intervention in psychosis: health economic evaluation using the net benefit approach in a real-world setting

BACKGROUND

Early intervention in psychosis is a complex intervention, usually delivered in a specialist stand-alone setting, which aims to improve outcomes for people with psychosis. Previous studies have been criticised because the control used did not accurately reflect actual practice.

AIMS

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of early intervention by estimating the incremental net benefit (INB) of an early-intervention programme, delivered in a real-world setting. INB measures the difference in monetary terms between alternative interventions.

METHOD

Two contemporaneous incidence-based cohorts presenting with first-episode psychosis, aged 18-65 years, were compared. Costs and outcomes were measured over 1 year. The main outcome was avoidance of a relapse that required admission to hospital or home-based treatment.

RESULTS

From the health sector perspective, the probability that early intervention was cost-effective was 0.77. The INB was €2465 per person (95% CI - €4418 to €9347) when society placed a value of €6000, the cost of an in-patient relapse, on preventing a relapse requiring admission or home care. Following adjustment, the probability that early intervention was cost-effective was 1, and the INB to the health sector was €3105 per person (95% CI -€8453 to €14 663). From a societal perspective, the adjusted probability that early intervention was cost-effective was 1, and the INB was €19 928 per person (95% CI - €2075 to €41 931).

CONCLUSIONS

Early intervention has a modest INB from the health sector perspective and a large INB from the societal perspective. The perspective chosen is critical when presenting results of an economic evaluation of a complex intervention.

Laying new foundations for 21st century community mental health services: An Australian perspective

While there has been a significant increase in investment in community mental health in Australia since the advent of the National Mental Health Strategy in the early 1990s, there has been little guidance on service design and delivery. This has led to a growing diversity of approaches and concern about the adequacy of care with repeated calls for a system overhaul. Consumers and carers have very largely been absent from decision-making about service design and development which has led to a system primarily designed by healthcare professionals. However, with the emergence of recovery as a core principle in mental health, it is time for consumers and carers to be centrally engaged in co-designing services with service providers. This raises the question of whether dominant service delivery models - such as the growth of specialist teams/services, the changing balance between profession-specific and generic case management roles in multidisciplinary teams, and the separation of inpatient from community care - will prevail. Contentious issues in these three service delivery areas are outlined to stimulate debate and highlight the pressing need for national guidance on the configuration of community mental health services. Building on the lessons learned from the first National Mental Health Strategy, we outline a proposal for a co-designed National Framework for Community Mental Health Services to guide the delivery of care in a way which satisfies the aspirations of consumers, carers, and mental health professionals alike.

A structured review of psychiatric rehabilitation for individuals living with severe mental illness within three regions of the Asia-Pacific: Implications for practice and policy

INTRODUCTION

Psychiatric rehabilitation can provide and support recovery-oriented care by assisting individuals living with severe mental illness to lead full lives. Despite a well-established evidence-base, implementation and access to these interventions in clinical practice for people with severe mental illness in the Asia-Pacific region is low. We therefore aimed to evaluate prominent themes impacting on clinical practice, policy, and the implementation of psychiatric rehabilitation across the Asia-Pacific region.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of relevant literature on psychiatric rehabilitation of three regions within the Asia-Pacific was conducted using a structured search of PubMed and other databases. Eligible articles were selected which focussed on how psychiatric rehabilitation is defined and implemented across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the associated successes and challenges. Common themes were generated.

RESULTS

Six themes emerged: the impact of policy, legislation, and human rights; access difficulties; the important role of family; the significance of culture, religion, and spiritual beliefs; the widespread impact of stigma; and the indigenous models of excellence being developed.

DISCUSSION

Consideration of the six themes and their implications should help raise awareness of the issues involved in the provision of psychiatric rehabilitation in the Asia-Pacific region and may improve outcomes for people living with severe mental illness. Suggested strategies include: developing a shared understanding of psychiatric rehabilitation; establishing quality legislation that's well implemented; adapting evidence-based models to develop culturally appropriate services; implementing stigma reduction and empowerment-based interventions; and, ensuring coordinated action among all stakeholders, combined with effective leadership.

A feasible model for early intervention for high-risk substance use in the emergency department setting

Objective In response to escalating alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related emergency department (ED) presentations, a tertiary Melbourne hospital embedded experienced AOD clinical nurse consultants in the ED on weekends to trial a model for screening, assessment and brief intervention (BI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative contributions of AOD to ED presentations and to pilot a BI model. Methods Using a customised AOD screening tool and a framework for proactive case finding, screened participants were offered a comprehensive AOD assessment and BI in the ED. Immediate effects of the intervention were evaluated via the engagement of eligible individuals and a self-administered 'intention to change' survey. Results Over the 32-month pilot, 1100 patients completed a comprehensive AOD assessment, and 95% of these patients received a BI. The most commonly misused substances were, in order, alcohol, tobacco, amphetamine-type stimulants, gamma-hydroxybutyrate and cannabis. Thirty-two per cent of patients were found to be at risk of dependence from alcohol and 25% were found to be at risk of dependence from other substances. Forty per cent of the people assessed reported no previous AOD support or intervention. On leaving the ED, 78% of participants reported an intention to contact community support services and 65% stated they would change the way they used AOD in the future. Conclusion This study of a pilot program quantifies the relative contribution of AOD to ED presentations and demonstrates that hospital EDs can implement a feasible, proactive BI model with high participation rates for people presenting with AOD-related health consequences. What is known about the topic? Clinician-led BI for high-risk consumption of alcohol has been demonstrated to be effective in primary care and ED settings. However, hospital EDs are increasingly receiving people with high-risk AOD-related harms. The relative contribution of other drugs in relation to ED presentations has not been widely documented. In addition, the optimal model and effects of AOD screening and BI programs in the Australian ED setting are unknown. What does this paper add? This paper describes a 'real-life' pilot project embedding AOD-specific staff in a metropolitan Melbourne ED at peak times to screen and provide BI to patients presenting with AOD-related risk and/or harms. The study quantifies the relative contribution of other drugs in addition to alcohol to ED presentations and reports on this model's much higher levels of patient engagement in receiving BI than has been reported previously. What are the implications for practitioners? This study demonstrates the relative contribution of drugs, in addition to alcohol, to ED presentations at peak weekend times. Although BI has been well proven, the pilot project evaluated herein has demonstrated that by embedding AOD-specific staff in the ED, much higher rates of patient engagement, screening and BI can be achieved.

How Do People Experience Early Intervention Services for Psychosis? A Meta-Synthesis

We conducted a study to explore how people diagnosed with first-episode psychosis experienced their contact with early intervention services for psychosis and the way these experiences relate to their recovery processes. Our aim was to integrate and describe the service users' experiences in a rigorous and comprehensive way. A broad literature search was performed in June and July 2016. After screening, 17 qualitative studies were included. We analyzed the findings in two main steps: (a) translating studies into one another and (b) synthesizing the findings from the studies. Through these interpretative processes, we found five new and overarching themes: (a) something is wrong, (b) do for myself, (c) it's about people, (d) a price to pay, and (e) ongoing vulnerability. We describe these themes as a process that service users' maneuver through in their contact with the services. Our findings are discussed in light of relevant research.

Are We Really Impacting Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Does It Matter?: Longitudinal Perspectives on Early Intervention from the Irish Public Health Services

Although early intervention in psychosis is clinically intuitive and theoretically feasible, the reality is that over recent decades the evidence base to support it has not advanced as much as might have been anticipated. Material benefits of early intervention in established psychosis have not been universally demonstrated and much uncertainty continues to surround the field of treatment in the prodromal phase. Undoubtedly methodological differences between studies are relevant and better understanding of different treatment models and the effectiveness of their constituent parts may yield the most benefit, particularly from a public health perspective.

Disorder, not just state of risk: meta-analysis of functioning and quality of life in people at high risk of psychosis

BACKGROUND

The nosology of the psychosis high-risk state is controversial. Traditionally conceived as an 'at risk' state for the development of psychotic disorders, it is also conceptualised as a clinical syndrome associated with functional impairment.

AIMS

To investigate meta-analytically the functional status of patients at high clinical risk for psychosis and its association with longitudinal outcomes.

METHOD

Three meta-analyses compared level of functioning (n = 3012) and quality of life (QoL) (n = 945) between a high-risk group, a healthy control group and group with psychosis, and baseline functioning in people in the high-risk group who did or did not have a transition to psychosis at follow-up (n = 654).

RESULTS

People at high risk had a large impairment in functioning (P<0.001) and worse QoL (P = 0.001) than the healthy control group, but only small to moderately better functioning (P = 0.012) and similar QoL (P = 0.958) compared with the psychosis group. Among the high-risk group, those who did not develop psychosis reported better functioning (P = 0.001) than those who did.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the high-risk state is characterised by consistent and large impairments of functioning and reduction in QoL similar to those in other coded psychiatric disorders.

Early intervention in psychosis: obvious, effective, overdue

Early intervention for potentially serious disorder is a fundamental feature of healthcare across the spectrum of physical illness. It has been a major factor in the reductions in morbidity and mortality that have been achieved in some of the non-communicable diseases, notably cancer and cardiovascular disease. Over the past two decades, an international collaborative effort has been mounted to build the evidence and the capacity for early intervention in the psychotic disorders, notably schizophrenia, where for so long deep pessimism had reigned. The origins and rapid development of early intervention in psychosis are described from a personal and Australian perspective. This uniquely evidence-informed, evidence-building and cost-effective reform provides a blueprint and launch pad to radically change the wider landscape of mental health care and dissolve many of the barriers that have constrained progress for so long.

Intervention précoce pour la psychose : concepts, connaissances actuelles et orientations futures

Cet article fournit un survol de la logique de l’intervention précoce pour psychose, de ses fondements théoriques et de la littérature essentielle sur le concept. L’intervention précoce repose sur l’hypothèse de la période critique, qui vient accentuer l’importance des premiers stades de la maladie, et sur les résultats d’études dans le domaine, qui suggère que la durée d’une psychose non traitée en influence le pronostic. L’intervention précoce facilite l’accès à un traitement spécialisé adapté à la phase de la maladie par un processus de recommandations médicales plus ouvert, des délais rapides et l’éducation du public et des praticiens sur la psychose. L’intervention précoce, qui dure généralement deux ans à partir du dépistage, comprend une prise en charge intensive et des médicaments antipsychotiques à faible dose. L’accent est mis sur le fonctionnement social, l’intervention familiale, l’attention précoce aux troubles connexes ainsi qu’une alliance thérapeutique entre le jeune et sa famille. Selon les données scientifiques disponibles, une telle intervention donne de meilleurs résultats que les soins typiquement offerts. Les critiques du concept visent la qualité des études en sa faveur, sa mise en oeuvre, la répartition des ressources en intervention précoce et son utilité pour les personnes présentant un risque élevé de psychose. En termes de disponibilité et d’élaboration de politiques en intervention précoce, le Royaume-Uni détient une avance certaine, alors que le Canada se situe au milieu, et les États-Unis au bas de l’échelle. Au Québec, les résultats varient et d’autres études et investissements sont nécessaires. Récemment, le concept d’intervention précoce a servi d’exemple à des mesures plus importantes visant la transformation des soins de santé mentale des jeunes, ce qui constitue une toute nouvelle percée au Canada.

Ten-year audit of clients presenting to a specialised service for young people experiencing or at increased risk for psychosis

BACKGROUND

Despite strong research interest in psychosis risk identification and the potential for early intervention, few papers have sought to document the implementation and evaluation of specialised psychosis related services. Assessment of Ultra High Risk (UHR) has been given priority, but it is equally as important to identify appropriate comparison groups and other baseline differences. This largely descriptive service evaluation paper focuses on the 'baseline characteristics' of referred clients (i.e., previously assessed characteristics or those identified within the first two months following service presentation).

METHODS

Data are reported from a 10-year layered service audit of all presentations to a 'Psychological Assistance Service' for young people (PAS, Newcastle, Australia). Baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics (N =1,997) are described (including clients' psychosis and UHR status, previous service contacts, hospitalisation rates, and diagnostic and comorbidity profiles). Key groups are identified and comparisons made between clients who received ongoing treatment and those who were primarily assessed and referred elsewhere.

RESULTS

Clients averaged 19.2 (SD =4.5) years of age and 59% were male. One-tenth of clients (9.6%) were categorised as UHR, among whom there were relatively high rates of attenuated psychotic symptoms (69.1%), comorbid depression (62.3%), anxiety (42.9%), and attentional and related problems (67.5%). Overall, one-fifth (19.8%) experienced a recent psychotic episode, while a further 14.5% were categorised as having an existing psychosis (46.7% with a schizophrenia diagnosis), amongst whom there were relatively high rates of comorbid substance misuse (52.9%), psychosocial (70.2%) and physical health (37.7%) problems. The largest group presenting to PAS were those with non-psychotic disorders (43.7%), who provide a valuable comparison group against which to contrast the health trajectories of those with UHR and recent psychosis. Ongoing treatment by PAS was preferentially given to those experiencing or at risk for psychosis and those reporting greater current distress or dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Whether or not UHR clients transition to psychosis, they displayed high rates of comorbid depression and anxiety at service presentation, with half receiving ongoing treatment from PAS. Although international comparisons with similar services are difficult, the socio-demographic and comorbidity patterns observed here were viewed as largely consistent with those reported elsewhere.

The balanced care model for global mental health

BACKGROUND

For too long there have been heated debates between those who believe that mental health care should be largely or solely provided from hospitals and those who adhere to the view that community care should fully replace hospitals. The aim of this study was to propose a conceptual model relevant for mental health service development in low-, medium- and high-resource settings worldwide. Method We conducted a review of the relevant peer-reviewed evidence and a series of surveys including more than 170 individual experts with direct experience of mental health system change worldwide. We integrated data from these multiple sources to develop the balanced care model (BCM), framed in three sequential steps relevant to different resource settings.

RESULTS

Low-resource settings need to focus on improving the recognition and treatment of people with mental illnesses in primary care. Medium-resource settings in addition can develop 'general adult mental health services', namely (i) out-patient clinics, (ii) community mental health teams (CMHTs), (iii) acute in-patient services, (iv) community residential care and (v) work/occupation. High-resource settings, in addition to primary care and general adult mental health services, can also provide specialized services in these same five categories.

CONCLUSIONS

The BCM refers both to a balance between hospital and community care and to a balance between all of the service components (e.g. clinical teams) that are present in any system, whether this is in low-, medium- or high-resource settings. The BCM therefore indicates that a comprehensive mental health system includes both community- and hospital-based components of care.

Assessing the cost of early intervention in psychosis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Early-intervention units have proliferated over the last decade, justified in terms of cost as well as treatment effect. Strong claims for extension of these programmes on economic grounds motivate a systematic review of economic evaluations of early-intervention programmes.

METHOD

Searches were undertaken in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO with keywords including 'early intervention', 'ultra-high risk', 'prodrome', 'cost-effectiveness', 'psychosis', 'economic', and 'at-risk mental state'. Relevant journals, editorials, and the references of retrieved articles were hand-searched for appropriate research.

RESULTS

Eleven articles were included in the review. The more rigorous research (two randomized control trials and two quasi-experimental studies) suggested no difference in resource utilization or costs between early-intervention and treatment-as-usual groups. One small case-control study with evidence of significant bias concluded annual early-intervention costs were one-third of treatment-as-usual costs. Modelling studies projected reduced costs of early intervention but were based on assumptions since definitively revised. Cost-effectiveness analyses did not strongly support the cost-effectiveness of early intervention. No studies appropriately valued outpatient costs or addressed the feasibility of realizing reduced hospitalization in reduced costs.

CONCLUSIONS

The published literature does not support the contention that early intervention for psychosis reduces costs or achieves cost-effectiveness. Past failed attempts to reduce health costs by reducing hospitalization, and increased outpatient costs in early-intervention programmes suggest such programmes may increase costs. Future economic evaluation of early-intervention programmes would need to correctly value outpatient costs and accommodate uncertainty regarding reduced hospitalization costs, perhaps by sensitivity analysis. The current research hints that cost differences may be greater early in treatment and in patients with more severe illness.