ApTiC: A feasibility trial of a communication method using mobile technology to improve assessment within an early intervention service

Introduction The early intervention service (EIS) approach is based on therapeutic interactions, which promote service user recovery from first episode psychosis. Collaborative therapeutic work between the service user and case manager depends on good communication. This can be a challenge for peopl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	European psychiatry 2016-03, Vol.33 (S1), p.S608-S608
Main Authors:	Riley, M, Lovell, M, Gire, N, Lane, S, Taylor, P.J, Fitzsimmons, M, Chaudhry, I.B, Bee, P, Lovell, K, Husain, N
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Internal Medicine Psychiatry
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Introduction The early intervention service (EIS) approach is based on therapeutic interactions, which promote service user recovery from first episode psychosis. Collaborative therapeutic work between the service user and case manager depends on good communication. This can be a challenge for people with psychosis as the process of thought can be disrupted or stimulus misinterpreted leading to communication errors. Objective The objective is to develop an interactive tool that can assist service user's communication of distress, whilst employing a psychoeducational approach to the use of an informal therapeutic measurement scale; subjective units of distress (SUDs) and early warning signs (EWS). The ApTiC mobile intervention will include ten numerically graded emoticons from low to extreme distress. Each emoticon is associated with specific individualised service user descriptors and linked to an individually agreed action plan and level of response to be offered by a staff member. Aim The aim of the present study will be to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the ApTic mobile intervention in preparation for a larger randomised controlled trial. Methods Phase one: qualitative research to inform the development of the complimentary tool and mobile app (qualitative). Phase two: a 12-week rater-blinded randomized control trial of ApTiC compared to routine EIS case management (quantitative). Results The qualitative data will be presented. Conclusions It is expected that once validated, the SUDs based ApTiC will enhance rapport and understanding thus improving the recovery approach to well-being and hopefully preventing relapse or the involvement of the crisis team or hospital admissions.
ISSN:	0924-9338 1778-3585