Early-Phase Schizophrenia: Practice-based Research to Improve Outcomes

The RAISE ETP study, designed and conducted by our group, signaled that a Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model could be feasibly delivered in community mental health clinics in multiple states and was effective. Since then, with the support of SAMSHA block grants to states, there are CSC programs across the nation.

The goal of this project is to develop a learning health system with sites providing CSC treatment of first-episode psychosis (FEP). Sites are drawn from five states: Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and South Carolina. They vary in populations served, levels of funding available and research experience. All are committed to advancing the development of CSC using a health learning system model, to implementing a practical assessment strategy to enhance outcome assessment and to conducting research to improve outcomes that will be meaningful to the full range of stakeholders.