LEGS Trial
The LEGS Trial: Liaison with Education and General practiceS to detect and refine referrals of people with At-Risk-Mental-States for Psychosis
Why this Trial?
The ability to prevent the onset of psychotic disorders by detecting and intervening in the prodromal phase has been a goal for many years. Potential benefits include the prevention or minimisation of psychosocial and biological disruption. Evidence also suggests that the length of time a psychotic episode is left untreated is negatively correlated with an individual’s prognosis. This concept has had a significant impact on NHS service provision for people diagnosed with a psychotic illness, in the development of Early Intervention Services (EIS). If we can identify people who may be at risk of psychosis, we may also have the opportunity to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis.
Summary of the Trial
This research aims to explore and compare liaison techniques between Primary Care Practices (PCPs) and Education Institutions (EIs) and mental health services with the final purpose of an earlier and more accurate identification of people at risk of developing psychosis or in the early stages of a psychotic illness. This is known as an At Risk Mental State (ARMS).
We are targeting the ages 16~35 in primary care and education in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The initiative is called LEGS (Liaison with Education and General practiceS). We are testing whether a simple 'postal' campaign, coordinated from an office (Low Intensity), is more effective and cost effective than an elaborate system of personal liaison by health professionals with the EIs and PCPs (High Intensity). The aim of both interventions will be to sensitise staff working in EIs and PCPs to the nature and likely manifestation of common psychotic symptoms or mental states that put individuals at risk. Then we urge them to refer people with ARMS to their local EIS.
At the end of the 2 year trial period we will compare accurate referral rates to decide which of two methods, if either, of finding ARMS works best.
Here you can view the questionnaire designed for the trial to identify and measure factors that influence GPs' identification of individuals at ultra high-risk for psychosis in primary care.
Link to download questionaire in PDF