TY - JOUR

T1 - The effect of implementation of an early detection team

T2 - A nationwide register-based study of characteristics and help-seeking behavior in first-episode schizophrenia in Denmark

AU - Hastrup, Lene Halling

AU - Haahr, Ulrik Helt

AU - Nordgaard, Julie

AU - Simonsen, Erik

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Background: In an effort to make people with signs of psychosis seek help as early as possible, Region Zealand launched in 2012 an early detection team project as the first and only in Denmark. The project consisted of a combination of easy access and an information campaign targeting the public. This nation-wide study examined characteristics and help-seeking behavior of patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) in the early detection region in comparison with other Danish regions. Method: Data from the Danish National Schizophrenia register on all Danish patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia during 2012 to 2015 were linked to demographic and health care data drawn from official national registers. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the difference between the early detection region and other regions controlling for demographic characteristics and utilization of mental health care services and contacts to general practitioner (GP). Results: Patients in the early detection region were younger (OR = 0.51; CI: 0.42–0.62; p < 0.000) than in regions without early detection teams. Furthermore, they were more likely to be of Danish origin, and less likely to have contact with mental health services and GPs prior to FES. Conclusion: The study suggests that implementing an early detection team in combination with an information campaign contributed to detecting patients with first-episode schizophrenia earlier than in regions without the early detection team. The study gives an indication of different pathways among patients in the early detection region.

AB - Background: In an effort to make people with signs of psychosis seek help as early as possible, Region Zealand launched in 2012 an early detection team project as the first and only in Denmark. The project consisted of a combination of easy access and an information campaign targeting the public. This nation-wide study examined characteristics and help-seeking behavior of patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) in the early detection region in comparison with other Danish regions. Method: Data from the Danish National Schizophrenia register on all Danish patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia during 2012 to 2015 were linked to demographic and health care data drawn from official national registers. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the difference between the early detection region and other regions controlling for demographic characteristics and utilization of mental health care services and contacts to general practitioner (GP). Results: Patients in the early detection region were younger (OR = 0.51; CI: 0.42–0.62; p < 0.000) than in regions without early detection teams. Furthermore, they were more likely to be of Danish origin, and less likely to have contact with mental health services and GPs prior to FES. Conclusion: The study suggests that implementing an early detection team in combination with an information campaign contributed to detecting patients with first-episode schizophrenia earlier than in regions without the early detection team. The study gives an indication of different pathways among patients in the early detection region.

KW - Care pathways

KW - Early detection team

KW - First-episode schizophrenia

KW - Nationwide study

KW - Register study

U2 - 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.034

DO - 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.034

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29706446

AN - SCOPUS:85046117066

VL - 201

SP - 337

EP - 342

JO - Schizophrenia Research

JF - Schizophrenia Research

SN - 0920-9964

ER -