J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2013 Jul;52(4):223-230.

A Study on the Effectiveness of Community-Based Case Management Program for the First Episode Psychosis

• Lee MS
• Ahn SR
• Son NY
• Kim JH
• Park HY
• Cho YJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to make empirical evidence for a community based case management program for the first episode of psychosis.
METHODS
We provided a case management program for first episode psychosis patients and assessed their symptoms, function, insight, and satisfaction using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Health of Nation Outcomes Scales (HoNOS), Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), Global Assessment of Functioning Scales (GAF), and Quality of Life scales (QOL) at baseline and after the program. We also evaluated the treatment maintenance rate and the changes of their developmental task achievement.
RESULTS
Significant improvement was observed in all sub-domains of PANSS and significant changes were also observed in the areas of symptoms and function of HoNOS. Significant improvement was observed in awareness of mental illness itself and its outcomes. The treatment maintenance rate was 87.5%, including three patients who stopped their medication with the doctor's order. The rate of participation in meaningful social activities, such as school or job showed an increase, from 25% at baseline to 81% after the program.
CONCLUSION
Results of this study demonstrate the possibility of community programs for prevention of relapse, improvement of symptoms and function, and facilitation of return to meaningful social activities of first episode psychosis patients.

Keyword

First episode psychosis; Case management; Developmental tasks

MeSH Terms

Case Management
Humans
Mental Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Quality of Life
Recurrence
Weights and Measures

Figure

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  Fig. 1 PANSS: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, HoNOS: Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales, SUMD: Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder, GAF: Global Assessment of Functioning Scales.

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  Fig. 2 The contents and process of STEP program. STEP: Social Treatment for Early Psychosis.

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