How the EPICare tool will help
Early identification only helps if people can access the right care. By using data, clinicians can better identify the most suitable care pathways for patients experiencing psychosis symptoms for the first time.
The EPICare platform analyses data that patients provide during their early stages of care and delivers real-time insights on treatment, recovery and other important outcomes back to each patient’s care team. This helps clinicians monitor progress and tailor care to each patient’s recovery journey.
EPICare teams work with people experiencing a first episode of psychosis, typically offering coordinated support that can include medical treatment, psychological therapies, family support and help with education or employment. Their aim is to support recovery as early as possible and to help people stay connected to their communities.
This data-led approach has already driven major advances in care and outcomes for patients with cystic fibrosis and for patients with stroke and cancer. So, it is hoped that using the same approach will improve outcomes for patients with psychosis.
Research on a mission
The EPICare study is one of the flagship initiatives of the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration Mission, which MQ is supporting.
In 2023, the NIHR and Office for Life Sciences announced they were on a mission to drive mental health research. MQ has been a Mission partner and is supporting the patient and public involvement, engagement and participation within the programme.
Last year, MQ produced a series of videos about people with lived experience and their role in supporting the development of the EPICare platform.