RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

Evaluation of a Brief Intervention to Improve Engagement in Early Intervention Services for Psychosis

Evaluation of a Brief Intervention to Improve Engagement and Recovery for At-risk Youth Enrolled in Early Intervention Services for Psychosis .

About This Trial

Negative experiences with healthcare prior to referral to early intervention services for psychosis (EIS) have been linked to poor engagement and clinical outcomes. Recent research indicates that young adults who come to EIS services thru emergency departments, urgent care, or inpatient services have significantly greater rates of future use of these services as well as more negative perceptions of EIS and diminished engagement in treatment compared to young adults referred to EIS by other pathways. These findings suggest a need for additional support to be provided to EIS patients, especially those with prior negative healthcare experiences, to maximize treatment engagement and outcomes. A recent USA-based trial of a brief intervention addressing barriers to disengagement (Just Do You), including prior negative healthcare experiences, showed promise in improving engagement and recovery. This project seeks to adapt and evaluate the Just Do You intervention to a young adult early psychosis population in Nova Scotia. The investigators aim to recruit young adults from the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program to engage in 2 psychotherapy/psychoeducation sessions co-led by a clinician and peer support worker. Following the intervention, the investigators will measure improvements in participants' engagement and recovery to determine the effectiveness of the program. Outcomes between participants with negative prior healthcare experiences and those without will be compared to assess differential impact of the intervention for high-risk sub-groups. This project has the potential to improve patients' engagement in EIS care and enhance recovery outcomes for young adults.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Within first 3-12 months of treatment in early intervention services. - Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder using the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, etc.) - Diagnosis within past 5 years. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Primary diagnosis that is not a psychotic disorder. - Outside of age limits. - Intellectual Disability (IQ \< 70) Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * Within first 3-12 months of treatment in early intervention services. * Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder using the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, etc.) * Diagnosis within past 5 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Primary diagnosis that is not a psychotic disorder. * Outside of age limits. * Intellectual Disability (IQ \< 70)

Treatments Being Tested

OTHER

Just Do You

As described in further detail previously, the experimental intervention is a brief psychotherapeutic intervention informed by principles of CBT and motivational interviewing that is co-delivered by a mental health clinician and peer support worker. This intervention will be a version of the initial intervention delivered in the "Just Do You" trial by Munson et al.(2022), adapted for increased suitability with our clinical population.

Locations (1)

Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program (NSEPP)

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada