An Evaluation of a First Contact Family Meeting Process for Early Intervention in Psychosis Service Users and Their Families/Care Givers

Those on a first episode of psychosis (FEP) pathway of care should be offered family interventions (FI). Evidence shows that there are several barriers which prevent service users from up taking FI. Barriers include capacity to deliver, interest in FI, and client readiness. There is however a lack of evidence to suggest more direct offers to FI, to which this article speaks to. Sunderland completed a pilot study which was formulated using the structure of North Tees's existing system of a First Contact Family Meeting (FCFM) process. 60% of families attended the FCFM in Sunderland and 88% of families in North Tees. We aimed to increase the awareness of FI, equitable access to FI and uptake of FI. Both data sets clearly indicate that for those families eligible for FI, the method of offering each family an initial meeting was equitable. Further exploration is required to understand family decision-making and characteristics which influence a family's decision to attend a FCFM, thereby accessing FI. This article has demonstrated that offering a FCFM at the earliest possible point in the care pathway is practical, acceptable, and appears to increase access and uptake of FI.