Purpose

The onset of psychosis typically arises during adolescence or young adulthood. We are conducting a review to better understand what technology is available or being created to serve adolescents and young people experiencing early psychosis or schizophrenia.

Method

 We have created an implementation framework to assess how technology can augment early psychosis coordinated specialty care (CSC) sites.  Next, we are visiting 8 sites around the United States to implement our new framework. 

Collection

Our team conducted a systematic review to examine the published literature on smartphone apps for both prodromal and first episode psychosis.  

Interpretation

An implementation framework was created to assess the degree to which any particular app fits into CSC and meets needs of patients, family, clinical team members, and community

Implementation

Our team is traveling to eight CSC sites around the United States to assess how they are using technology in CSC and to share with them the toolkit created in phase 2.

The AACCS Framework

1) Assess: identifying access to and comfort with technology
2) Align: understanding aspects of coordinated specialty care that technology can augment
3) Connect: customizing technology to the needs of patients and clinicians
4) Care: implementing the digital tools into treatment
5) Sustain: creating sustainable technology-enabled mental health services

Sites We're Visiting

• University of New Mexico Mental Health Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
• Prevention and Recovery in Early Psychosis (PREP) Boston, Boston,  MA
• OnTrack NYC, New York City, NY
• First Episode Psychosis Program (FEPP) University of Minnesota Medical Center,  Minneapolis, MN
• University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, CA
  

Relevant Reading

Camacho E, Levin L, Torous J. Smartphone Apps to Support Coordinated Specialty Care for Prodromal and Early Course Schizophrenia Disorders: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2019;21(11):e16393

Questions?

Please contact Erica
ecamach1@bidmc.harvard.edu
617-667-0038