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Ilana Nossel, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center and NYS Psychiatric Institute and colleagues tracked the progress of 325 patients aged 16 to 30 who had experienced nonaffective psychosis for less than two years and participated in OnTrackNY, a statewide program that connects patients with a multidisciplinary care team. OnTrackNY provides coordinated specialty care, including evidence-based psychosocial interventions and medication. At the beginning of the program and follow-up every three months, clinicians evaluated the patients using Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) symptom, occupational, and social functioning scales; education and employment status; and psychiatric hospitalization rate.
Nossel and colleagues compared data from admission and months 3, 6, 9, and 12 following enrollment, although the length of the follow-up periods varied by participant, depending on the date of enrollment. After three months in the program, the patients’ hospitalization rates decreased from 70% to 10%. After six months in the program, the patients’ education and employment rates increased from 40% to 80%; GAF scores continued to improve for the duration of the study.
“[This study] helps to further solidify CSC [coordinated specialty care] as a standard of care for young people with the recent onset of a psychotic illness,” Nossel told Psychiatric News. “Often young people with psychosis or schizophrenia may be hesitant to engage in treatment or may not believe they have an illness. The CSC approach is to meet people where they are, use a shared decision-making approach, and help people achieve the goals that are important to them.”
For related information, see the Psychiatric News article “Participation in Early Psychosis Program May Reduce Risk of Death.”
(Image: Alexander Raths/Shutterstock)
