RESUMO

The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a key determinant in the severity of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. DUP is a modifiable factor that if reduced can improve patient outcome and treatment response. We sought to decrease DUP in rural Argentina by instituting annual training of local health agents to better identify signs of mental illness and offer earlier intervention. DUP was estimated using Schedules of Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Ongoing training was correlated with a reduction in DUP. Reducing DUP through better screening can decrease the psychosocial burden of disease and improve the trajectory of psychosis.

Assuntos

Agentes Comunitários de Saúde/educação , Intervenção Médica Precoce , Educação em Saúde/organização & administração , Transtornos Psicóticos/terapia , Adolescente , Adulto , Argentina , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Transtornos Psicóticos/diagnóstico , Transtornos Psicóticos/psicologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , População Rural , Adulto Jovem