AEPCC is partnering with SARPEP (Quebec’s early psychosis learning health system) to lead an international effort to improve care for young people experiencing early psychosis. Eight countries are collaborating to build systems where data continuously drives innovation and better outcomes.
The new international consortium met earlier this year as part of the 15th International Conference on Early Intervention and Prevention in Mental Health (IEPA15) in Berlin. Over 30 experts attended the consortium meeting from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, France, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, the UK, and the US.
“Improving supports for people experiencing early psychosis will require faster, flexible and thoughtful innovation. In many areas of health, real-time, high-quality data helps clinicians understand what’s actually helping and where care needs to shift, said Shannon Pagdon, Vice President of lived experience research within IEPA.
“As these systems evolve, lived experience perspectives aren’t an add-on, they must be the compass. I’m glad to contribute to this international effort and help ensure that the people most affected stay at the center.”
Supported by the Graham Boeckh Foundation, the meeting brought together expertise from around the world, with different countries leading in various aspects of using data to improve early psychosis care. Working groups were established to share knowledge and create international guidelines and standards.
Prof Andy Thompson, AEPCC Principal Investigator, explained, “the AEPCC Clinical Quality Registry (CQR) will form the backbone of a learning health system in Australia. While CQRs are well-established here in physical health, comprehensive learning health systems are still emerging, and international collaboration is key to accelerating innovation and improving outcomes for young people.”
The group plans to reconvene in Italy next year at the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Annual Congress to continue this ground-breaking work.
Stay tuned for updates as this international collaboration continues to grow.
For more information about AEPCC at IEPA15 visit our Instagram account @psychosis_understood.
