| Abstract: | Abstract.Background: Several first-episode studies of schizophrenia suggestthat many patients experience psychotic symptoms for a long timebefore receiving appropriate treatment. To reduce the time ofuntreated psychosis, it is necessary to know the patients pathways to psychiatric care. This study was designed to examinepatients help-seeking contacts and the delays on their pathwaysto psychiatric care in Germany.Method: Sixty-six patients with first episode of schizophreniaspectrum psychosis were assessed by the Interview for theRetrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia (IRAOS)and were interviewed about their helpseeking contacts beforepsychiatric admission.Results: In contrast to other findings of long duration ofuntreated psychosis (DUP), 53% of our patients were admittedafter 8 weeks (median) of untreated positive symptoms, althoughthe mean value of 71 weeks corresponds well with the results ofother studies. There were important differences in DUP dependingon which kind of statistical parameter (median or mean) wasused. In contrast to studies from other countries, only 18% ofour patients had their first contact with a generalpractitioner. However, this was the fastest way to psychiatricadmission. No differences were found between patients with short(< 1 year) and long (> 1 year) DUP in the duration of timefrom the first help-seeking contact up to admission.Conclusion: In Germany, a large number of mental health professionalsin private practice or different services of psychosocialcontact facilities exist in every region and generalpractitioners are not so important as a link to psychiatriccare, although they seem to be functioning well if it isnecessary. Therefore, programs designed to reduce the delay oftreatment should focus less on general practitioners than onother health services. |
