Through COVID-19 and beyond: developing a multidisciplinary telehealth family intervention in first episode psychosis

Ir J Psychol Med. 2023 Sep;40(3):503-507. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2021.79. Epub 2021 Dec 1.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges to high quality, safe Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service provision. Due to the necessity to ensure EIP continues despite this, we developed a multidisciplinary, blended, telehealth intervention, incorporating psychoeducation and peer support, for family members of first episode psychosis service users: PERCEPTION. This perspective article aims to: describe PERCEPTION; offer reflections on our experience of delivering it; make recommendations for future research; and synthesise key learning to assist the integration of similar interventions in other EIP services. We provide a descriptive account of PERCEPTION's development and implementation, with reflections from the clinicians involved, on supporting families using this approach. We experienced telehealth as patient-focused, safe, and efficient and believe the intervention's blended nature augmented families' engagement. The approach adopted can assist service providers to attain balance between protecting public health and offering a meaningful, therapeutic intervention to support families in the current epoch.

Keywords: Psychoeducation; family; peer support; psychotic disorders; telemedicine.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Early Intervention, Educational
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Psychotic Disorders* / therapy
  • Telemedicine*