Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Early Intervention Program in Canada

For "Patricia" (not her real name), The Early Psychosis Program in Alberta, Canada was a godsend.

Patricia's parents became concerned when they began recieving odd, nonsensical emails from their daughter, who was doing research in Pakistan. They arranged her referral to the Early Psychosis Program at Foothills Hospital, an internationally-recognized program that treats about 700 outpatients a year.

EPP is equipped to deal with three phases of psychosis: the prodome (psychotic episode), the schizophreniform disorder (lasting up to six months), and full-blown schizophrenia. Patients are enrolled in a three-year treatment program under the supervision of a doctor and a case manager. The essential role of the case manager, an element missing from many medical treatment plans, is to help integrate the patient back into work, school, and home environments. A caseworker also helps patients find partner programs and services in their own communities.

EPP is looking to expand its message and its mission, through a public information campaign that will include media public service announcements, television/radio ads, and an educational website (http://www.thesoonerthebetter.ca).

Numerous research studies (see The Importance of Early Detection and Treatment for Schizophrenia on the schizophrenia.com Symptoms/Diagnosis page) have shown that early diagnosis and correct intervention for psychiatric disorders greatly improves an individual's prognosis.

That certainly seems to be the case among patients treated under EPP's model: duration of untreated psychosis in the Calgary region is among the lowest in the world, and the area also has reduced attempted suicides and suicide rates, lower relapses, improved quality of life, and excellent continuity of care.

The Early Psychosis Program seems to be an excellent coordinated-care model for people with schizophrenia or at-risk for schizophrenia. Hopefully similar programs will be initiated in other ares in the near future.

To learn more about the Early Psychosis Program in Alberta, see http://www.earlypsychosis.ca, or call 944-4836 (for local calls inside Canada region).

Original Source: "Early intervention key to psychosis treatment" (Oct 14, 2004). The Calgary Herald (Alberta).

More information: Global List of Early Psychosis Treatment Centers