Study protocol for a multi-level cross-sectional study on the equitable reach and implementation of coordinated specialty care for early psychosis

BACKGROUND: Approximately 115,000 young adults will experience their first episode of psychosis (FEP) each year in the USA. Coordinated specialty care (CSC) for early psychosis is an evidence-based early intervention model that has demonstrated effectiveness by improving quality of life and reducing psychiatric symptoms for many individuals. Over the last decade, there has significant increase in the implementation of CSC programs throughout the USA. However, prior research has revealed difficulties among individuals and their family members accessing CSC. Research has also shown that CSC programs often report the limited reach of their program to underserved populations and communities (e.g., ethnoracial minorities, rural and low socioeconomic neighborhoods). Dissemination and implementation research focused on the equitable reach and implementation of CSC is needed to address disparities at the individual level. METHODS: The proposed study will create a novel integrative multi-level geospatial database of CSC programs implemented throughout the USA that will include program-level data (e.g., geocoded location, capacity, setting, role availability), provider-level data (race, ethnicity, professional credentials), and neighborhood-level census data (e.g., residential segregation, ethnic density, area deprivation, rural-urban continua, public transit time). This database will be used to characterize variations in CSC programs by geographical location and examine the overall reach CSC programs to specific communities. The quantitative data will be combined with qualitative data from state administrators, providers, and service users that will inform the development of dissemination tools, such as an interactive dashboard, that can aid decision making. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study will highlight the impact of outer contextual determinants on implementation and reach of mental health services, and will serve to inform the future implementation of CSC programs with a primary focus on equity.