Understanding the topography of the early psychosis pathways. An opportunity to reduce delays in treatment

BACKGROUND: This study aims to gain an understanding of treatment delays and their nature in initial psychotic episodes. We investigated to whom people turn for help, how long that approach takes and subsequent delays in commencing treatment. METHOD: Qualitative and quantitative methods were combined with interviews of 62 people suffering from first-episode psychoses, aged 16-30 years, who had recently accessed a specialist mental health service in Melbourne, Australia. A modified version of the World Health Organization Encounter Form was analysed in conjunction with other data. RESULTS: Pathways to care and the ways in which they were experienced were highly variable, with 50% of people experiencing psychotic symptoms before approaching any service. The general practitioner played a key role with 50% of people having had GP contact at some point prior to commencing effective treatment. Where an individual's own efforts to seek early help failed, the role of relatives and others was subsequently vital. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities exist for shortening delays through targeted health promotion activities and professional training. The need is indicated for a multi-layered or topographical strategy to identify and minimise critical barriers on the route to early intervention. Refinement of interview techniques and instruments of measurement are needed to enhance the explanatory power of data collected.