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. 2021 Oct;15(5):1104-1114.
doi: 10.1111/eip.13060. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Implementation of early psychosis services in Latin America: A scoping review

David Aceituno  1   2 , Cristián Mena  3   4 , Norha Vera  1 , Alfonso Gonzalez-Valderrama  3   4 , Ary Gadelha  5   6 , Elton Diniz  5 , Nicolas Crossley  2   7 , Mark Pennington  1 , Matthew Prina  1
Affiliations

Implementation of early psychosis services in Latin America: A scoping review

David Aceituno et al. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Aim: The evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early intervention for psychosis (EIP) services has motivated their implementation worldwide. However, complex interventions of such EIP services require local adaptations to successfully match population needs and cultural differences. Latin America is a heterogenous region where EIP services are progressively being adopted. Our aim is to map such initiatives in the region with a focus on implementation outcomes.

Methods: A scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines was conducted. International and regional databases were searched for publications describing EIP programmes in the region. Besides mapping the services, we described implementation outcomes based on the Standards for Reporting Implementation Studies Checklist.

Results: Ten articles describing seven EIP initiatives from the region were found. Four countries were represented: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The implementation outcomes reporting was heterogenous, although it was possible to ascertain EIP services are feasible and adequate for the region's context. Also, there is some evidence of effectiveness in terms of reducing hospitalizations and improving symptoms. Information about fidelity measures was scarce and there was no information about costs or cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions: Only a small proportion of Latin American countries have adopted EIP services. Although these programmes seem to be feasible and effective, data on other implementation outcomes, such as fidelity, cultural appropriateness, cost-effectiveness and affordability are not available. This might in part explain why this effective approach has not been yet scaled-up at nationwide levels.

Keywords: Latin America; early medical intervention; health plan implementation; mental health services; psychotic disorders.

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References

REFERENCES

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