Outreach and support in south London (OASIS): implementation of a clinical service for prodromal psychosis and the at risk mental state

TY - JOUR

T1 - Outreach and support in south London (OASIS)

T2 - implementation of a clinical service for prodromal psychosis and the at risk mental state

AU - Broome, Matthew R

AU - Woolley, James B

AU - Johns, Louise C

AU - Valmaggia, Lucia R

AU - Tabraham, Paul

AU - Gafoor, Rafael

AU - Bramon-Bosch, Elvira

AU - McGuire, Philip K

PY - 2005/8

Y1 - 2005/8

N2 - Background. - While recent research points to the potential benefits of clinical intervention before the first episode of psychosis, the logistical feasibility of this is unclear. Aims. - To assess the feasibility of providing a clinical service for people with prodromal symptoms in an inner city area where engagement with mental health services is generally poor. Method. - Following a period of liaison with local agencies to promote the service, referrals were assessed and managed in a primary care setting. Activity of the service was audited over 30 months. Results. - People with prodromal symptoms were referred by a range of community agencies and seen at their local primary care physician practice. Over 30 months, 180 clients were referred; 58 (32.2%) met criteria for an at risk mental state, most of whom (67.2%) had attenuated psychotic symptoms. Almost 30% were excluded due to current or previous psychotic illness, of which two-thirds were in the first episode of psychosis. The socio-demographic composition of the 'at risk' group reflected that of the local population, with an over-representation of clients from an ethnic minority. Over 90% of suitable clients remained engaged with the service after I year. Conclusion. - It is feasible to provide a clinical service for people with prodromal symptoms in a deprived inner city area with a large ethnic minority population. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved

AB - Background. - While recent research points to the potential benefits of clinical intervention before the first episode of psychosis, the logistical feasibility of this is unclear. Aims. - To assess the feasibility of providing a clinical service for people with prodromal symptoms in an inner city area where engagement with mental health services is generally poor. Method. - Following a period of liaison with local agencies to promote the service, referrals were assessed and managed in a primary care setting. Activity of the service was audited over 30 months. Results. - People with prodromal symptoms were referred by a range of community agencies and seen at their local primary care physician practice. Over 30 months, 180 clients were referred; 58 (32.2%) met criteria for an at risk mental state, most of whom (67.2%) had attenuated psychotic symptoms. Almost 30% were excluded due to current or previous psychotic illness, of which two-thirds were in the first episode of psychosis. The socio-demographic composition of the 'at risk' group reflected that of the local population, with an over-representation of clients from an ethnic minority. Over 90% of suitable clients remained engaged with the service after I year. Conclusion. - It is feasible to provide a clinical service for people with prodromal symptoms in a deprived inner city area with a large ethnic minority population. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved

U2 - 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.03.001

DO - 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.03.001

M3 - Article

C2 - 16171652

SN - 1778-3585

VL - 20

SP - 372

EP - 378

JO - European Psychiatry

JF - European Psychiatry

IS - 5-6

ER -