Assessing Fidelity to Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis in the US Federal Block Program Grant with the First Episode Psychosis Fidelity Scale
Poster C73, Wednesday, October%2010, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Donald Addington1, Gary Bond2, Valerie Noel2; 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, 2Westat Corporation, 3Dartmouth Medical College
The United States Federal Government has allocated funding to State Mental Health Services for the implementation of First Episode Psychosis Services through the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). To evaluate the funded programs SAMHSA commissioned a longitudinal study of 38 sites. The sites were selected to represent ten regions of the US and includes, rural, urban, and mixed areas. The study employs a mixed method design using qualitative and quantitative data. the main goal is to evaluate whether programs that follow the CSC model have better outcomes. Adherence to the CSC model is being assessed with the First Episode Psychosis Fidelity Scale. Individual client outcomes will be assessed with symptom ratings scales and global measures of functioning and quality of life. The First Episode Psychosis Fidelity Scale is 31-item scale which assesses access, quality of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions, and team functioning. It covers the six components of care identified in the CSC care model, which was tested in the Recovery after an Initial Schizophrenia Episode study. To establish fidelity ratings, data will be collected by review of program administrative data, audit of selected health records, and semi-structured telephone interviews with key program health care providers. The scale will be administered at baseline and one year. The study will describe the degree to which programs deliver services that adhere to evidence-based practices and establish standards and norms for the first episode psychosis fidelity scale.
Topic Area: Service System Development and Reform