S226. DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY DETECTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES WITHIN PSYCHIATRIC CARE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Abstract

BackgroundEarly Detection (ED) and Early Intervention (EI) are specialized services aiming at early diagnosis and early treatment of psychosis. There are evidence-based effects of ED and EI services that cannot be overlooked, such as early recognition of prodromal symptoms, preventing the adverse effects of untreated psychosis, lowering the risk of hospitalization, and therefore it has become part of the ongoing mental health care reform in the Czech Republic.MethodsA total of 12 mental health professionals were trained in order to provide specialised ED and EI services within three regions in the Czech Republic – Prague 8, Pilsen and Blansko. All people aged 16 to 60 years who live in a predefined catchment area and are (a) at risk of developing psychosis, (b) in the first episode of psychosis or (c) are treated with psychosis for less than 3 years, are eligible for the service. Standardised assessment tools are being used for clients’ assessment (GAF, HoNOS, PANSS and CAARMS).ResultsThree multidisciplinary ED and EI teams were established in 2019 in the Czech Republic. Psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse and social worker are involved in each team. Presented data will describe psychosocial interventions and detection activities from 1/4/2019 to 1/4/2020.DiscussionThe psychiatric care system in the Czech Republic is predominantly built on large psychiatric institutions and there is a lack of community mental health services. Since the hospitalization is usually the first contact with mental health care services, there is a high potential of ED and EI services to prevent admission and readmission to the psychiatric hospital through early recognition of prodromal symptoms and reduction of the duration of untreated psychosis.