Ups and downs of physical health interventions for young people experiencing first episode psychosis: implementation and challenges for the Chilean Public Health System
Poster C102, Wednesday, October%2010, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Carmen Paz Castañeda1, Alfonso González1,2, Rubén Nachar1,2, Carlos Gallardo1,3, Camila Díaz1,4, Juan Undurraga1,5, Cristián Mena1; 1Early Intervention Program. J Horwitz Psychiatric Institute, 2Universidad Finis Terrae, 3Psychological Clinic Universidad Diego Portales, 4Universidad de Santiago, 5Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo
Cardiometabolic health has become a concern for first episode of psychosis services. In middle-income countries like Chile, the implementation of physical activity interventions is a daily challenge. Nowadays we have managed to go beyond the improvement of psychotic symptoms by following an already internationally validated paradigm shift which consists in emphasizing the idea that poor physical health in psychosis is preventable. We actively participated in the translation and local promotion of the HeAL declaration (2015) and in the Chilean adaptation of the Positive Cardiometabolic Health algorithm (2016-2017) which will be incorporated in the national guideline for use of clozapine. Our language has changed too. The incorporation of psychoeducation to patients and their families regarding the importance of physical health has been proof of that; assessments and cardiometabolic measurements have been of great importance to build a stronger awareness of the importance of physical health not just in our patients and their families but also in our professional teams. Research has also been incorporated in our effort. We conducted a study that examined the impact of exercise on the physical and mental health of young people diagnosed with non-affective psychosis (2016). Main future challenges that emerged during research were related with the effective implementation of these kind of interventions as part of mental health services provided to patients in a public health system setting. Preventative physical interventions are central and essential to our goals and its permanent implementation should be our commitment for the next years.
Topic Area: Service System Development and Reform