Aim

Specialized early interventions improve outcomes in early psychosis (EP). Experts have proposed a number of essential treatment components. However, it is unclear whether these reflect the views of senior clinic staff charged with implementing this model in practice.

Method

Twenty-Five senior EP clinic staff across California completed a survey indicating which features of EP treatment they considered most important.

Results

Components related to the service structure and the need for a prompt, comprehensive assessment and care planning were considered most important, despite the limited evidence base evaluating these aspects of care. Administration of clozapine to treatment-refractory patients and weight gain interventions were considered the least important, despite the relatively strong evidence base supporting these treatment components.

Conclusion

The findings suggest a bi-directional dissemination gap, where components considered most important by senior providers receive limited research attention, while some areas with supporting evidence may be underappreciated in clinical practice.