Family engagement in coordinated specialty care drives greater participation in core services for first-episode psychosis.

Background

Individuals with first episode psychosis are often young adults whose symptoms are first identified by a family member, and who play a critical role in helping them access treatment and remain engaged in treatment. Coordinated specialty care (CSC) is an early intervention treatment model for first episode psychosis that includes family education and support as a core service alongside medication management, psychotherapy, and vocational and educational supports. Despite the central role of family engagement in CSC, there is limited evidence on the impact of these core services on client engagement in treatment. This study measured the impact on family engagement in an individual’s participation in treatment visits, medication adherence, and other outcomes.

Findings

Outcomes for individuals in two groups, family engagement and no family engagement, were collected and analyzed in three coordinated specialty care programs in Minnesota. In the first six months of treatment, individuals in the family engagement group attended more individual resiliency training, and supported education and employment visits than those in the other group. Individuals with no family attended more case management visits. Medication adherence was high for both groups and peer support visits did not differ between groups.

Program/Policy Takeaways

Findings from this study show that family engagement in CSC services is associated with greater participation in core program treatment and services. Service providers can use the results of this study to identify opportunities to connect with families who may be less engaged in the treatment of their family member.