Developing services for first-episode psychosis and the critical period.

BACKGROUND Providing specialised services to individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) is a relatively new endeavour. AIMS To overview developing services for newly diagnosed cases of FEP and the context in which they develop. METHOD This paper describes five model multi-element FEP programmes, outlines recent evaluation studies of FEP services, discusses current evidence gaps relating to the evaluation of complex interventions and specific interventions for FEP and illustrates attempts to examine aspects of clinical work practised at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) in Melbourne, Australia. RESULTS Considerable progress has been made in terms of influencing practice in the assessment and treatment of early psychosis. CONCLUSIONS There is need for quality clinical and research efforts to inform and accelerate progress in this burgeoning field.