Using clinical records to evaluate family intervention for psychosis in routine practice

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate family intervention (FI) for psychosis that had been offered in routine practice by a dedicated FI service.

Method: A retrospective analysis of electronic clinical records was undertaken to examine those who had received FI and their use of acute services (accident & emergency, home treatment, inpatient) in the two years preceding and following FI, as a measure of outcome. Twenty-nine service users whose families had participated in five or more sessions of FI entered the analysis.

Results: The demographics of the sample were diverse. While there was no significant change in the number of admissions following FI, there was a modest reduction in time spent in acute care, particularly use of home treatment.

Conclusions: Notable demographic differences between families suggest referral decision-making in routine care warrants further investigation. The study also offers tentative support for the translation of good FI outcomes into routine practice though implementation rates remain low.