Recruiting

Transition Care for FEP

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07713849

PhaseNot Applicable

Enrollment75

SponsorUniversity of Chicago

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Schizoaffective Disorders, Bipolar Disorder With Psychotic Features, Schizophrenia Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features, Psychosis NOS

About this study

This study is testing a new approach to help people with first episode psychosis transition successfully from the hospital to outpatient mental health care. Many patients lose contact with services after they leave the hospital, which can lead to worse outcomes. The investigators have developed a Transition Care Team (TCT) that works with patients while they are in the hospital and continues to support them after discharge. The team provides therapy, case management, and coordination with community programs that offer ongoing care. The main goal of the study is to find out if this new program increases the number of patients who successfully begin outpatient treatment after hospitalization, compared to usual care. The investigators will also look at whether the program improves symptoms, functioning, and overall well-being.

Interventions

Behavioral: Transition Care Team — The novel intervention is the Transition Care Team (TCT), a multidisciplinary clinical support model designed to improve continuity of care for individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The TCT provides short-term post-discharge services, including psychoeducation, case management, peer support, and coordination with outpatient programs until participants are established in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC). This differs from standard care, where patients typically receive discharge referrals without structured follow-up. The intervention itself uses evidence-based clinical practices but applies them in a new, transitional format for this population, which is not currently part of standard inpatient-to-outpatient care at UChicago or Ingalls.

Primary outcomes

Effectiveness of Transition Care Team for First Episode Psychosis (6 weeks post-discharge)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis NOS * The diagnosis of one of the psychotic disorders has a duration of less than two years. * Able to read, speak, and understand English, which will be assessed through observation. * Able and willing to provide written informed consent or assent, in cases where caregivers are considered legal guardians. Dr. Shima, co-I of the study, is a forensic psychiatrist, and particularly adept at judging such ability. Drs. Erickson and Keedy have conducted studies in individuals with psychotic disorders, including FEP and in the context of clinical trials, for years, and are similarly competent to judge whether individuals can provide informed consent. Finally, we will also use an Evaluation to Sign Consent form that documents subjects' verbalized understanding of key aspects of the study. * have an estimated IQ of \> 65, assessed by the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading * Eligible caregivers/proxy informants must be identified by the participant or clinical team as being involved in the participant's discharge planning or follow-up care, be able to provide informed verbal consent, and be able to speak and read English sufficiently to complete study questionnaires. Caregivers may include family members, close supports, or legally authorized representatives. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with substance-induced psychosis or psychosis due to a medical condition will not be included in the study. We will use the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 as well as medical records, and if the subject gives permission, caregiver information in this process * Individuals who do not meet criteria for a first episode of psychosis

Study locations

University of Chicago Medical Center, Biological Science Division, Chicago, Illinois 60637 United States
University of Chicago Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Harvey, Illinois 60426 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.