Research evidence continues to point to the need for accessible, comprehensive care for young people with psychotic disorders in order to improve their long-term trajectories. In this 90-minute symposium, we review challenges and opportunities to improve quality at various points along pathways to care for youth with psychosis. Michael Birnbaum will present on the role of the internet and social media in early identification, outreach, and engagement of youth and families in psychosis treatment. Nicole Kozloff will present on the care youth with psychosis receive following a first presentation to the emergency department, exploring factors associated with access to timely follow-up. George Foussias will present on implementation and outcomes of standardized, measurement-based care protocols in a large early psychosis intervention program, including a qualitative exploration of youth and family experiences of this style of care. Phil Tibbo will present on the development of order sets for treating early phase psychosis at the national level and their implementation. Each presenter will allow a few minutes for audience questions. Finally, John Kane, an expert in researching and implementing comprehensive care for first episode psychosis, will facilitate a group discussion on how the presentations can guide patient-, program- and system-level improvements to increase the reach and effectiveness of early psychosis intervention.
