"I felt like that was a safe place to go": a qualitative study of help-seeking experiences for early psychosis in primary care.
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| Title: | "I felt like that was a safe place to go": a qualitative study of help-seeking experiences for early psychosis in primary care. |
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| Authors: | Rodrigues, Rebecca (AUTHOR), Madakadze, Candice (AUTHOR), Edwards, Jordan (AUTHOR), Booth, Richard (AUTHOR), Archie, Suzanne (AUTHOR), Palaniyappan, Lena (AUTHOR), Chan, Sarah (AUTHOR), Nagy, Kerri (AUTHOR), Anderson, Kelly K. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Mental Health. Apr2026, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p199-207. 9p. |
| Subjects: | Research funding, Qualitative research, Mental health, Primary health care, Interviewing, Content analysis, Help-seeking behavior, Descriptive statistics, Cultural values, Tertiary care, Sound recordings, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Psychoses, Social support, Data analysis software, Patients' attitudes, Caregiver attitudes |
| Abstract: | Background: Contacts with primary care for early psychosis are common, and there is a need for further insight into help-seeking patterns. Aims: We sought to describe the help-seeking experiences in primary care for people with early psychosis and their caregivers. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we recruited 22 clients with first-episode psychosis and 13 caregivers from seven specialized clinics to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically using conventional content analysis. Results: Help-seeking experiences in primary care were varied. We identified themes describing client- and caregiver-level challenges and supports: impaired mental state, help-seeking decisions and support, and conflicting cultural beliefs and values (between clients and physicians). We also identified physician-level challenges and supports: physician knowledge (perceived as adequate or inadequate), follow-up (close or lack thereof), and supportive relationship with the client and/or caregiver. Finally, we identified health system-level themes: appointment availability and virtual care (described as insufficient). Conclusions: Interventions to increase help-seeking for early psychosis more broadly may facilitate earlier primary care help-seeking. Primary care physician education, closer follow-up of young people with mental health issues, timely access, and in-person care could improve pathways to care in early psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Contacts with primary care for early psychosis are common, and there is a need for further insight into help-seeking patterns. Aims: We sought to describe the help-seeking experiences in primary care for people with early psychosis and their caregivers. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we recruited 22 clients with first-episode psychosis and 13 caregivers from seven specialized clinics to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically using conventional content analysis. Results: Help-seeking experiences in primary care were varied. We identified themes describing client- and caregiver-level challenges and supports: impaired mental state, help-seeking decisions and support, and conflicting cultural beliefs and values (between clients and physicians). We also identified physician-level challenges and supports: physician knowledge (perceived as adequate or inadequate), follow-up (close or lack thereof), and supportive relationship with the client and/or caregiver. Finally, we identified health system-level themes: appointment availability and virtual care (described as insufficient). Conclusions: Interventions to increase help-seeking for early psychosis more broadly may facilitate earlier primary care help-seeking. Primary care physician education, closer follow-up of young people with mental health issues, timely access, and in-person care could improve pathways to care in early psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09638237 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09638237.2025.2595617 |
