Helping people with first episode psychosis move from hospital to outpatient care
Tests a Transition Care Team supporting adults with first episode psychosis after hospital discharge.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- University of Chicago
- Where
- Chicago and Harvey, United StatesSee the 2 sites
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Transition Care for FEP
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 75 people, planned
- Started
- 6 May 2026
- Expected to end
- 6 May 2029
- Type of study
- Observational
- Treatments tested
- Transition Care Team
- Record updated
- 20 July 2026
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults aged 18 to 40 with a first episode of psychosis, such as schizophrenia, who are leaving hospital for outpatient care.
- Age
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- First episode of psychosis. The psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or major depression with psychotic features, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis NOS) must have lasted less than two years.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Psychosis caused by drugs or alcohol, or by a medical condition
- Not a first episode of psychosis
- Cannot read, speak and understand English
- Cannot give written informed consent or assent
- Estimated IQ of 65 or lower
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 8 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis NOS
- The diagnosis of one of the psychotic disorders has a duration of less than two years
- Able to read, speak, and understand English, which will be assessed through observation
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent or assent, in cases where caregivers are considered legal guardians. Dr. Shima, co-I of the study, is a forensic psychiatrist, and particularly adept at judging such ability. Drs. Erickson and Keedy have conducted studies in individuals with psychotic disorders, including FEP and in the context of clinical trials, for years, and are similarly competent to judge whether individuals can provide informed consent. Finally, we will also use an Evaluation to Sign Consent form that documents subjects' verbalized understanding of key aspects of the study
- have an estimated IQ of > 65, assessed by the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading
- Eligible caregivers/proxy informants must be identified by the participant or clinical team as being involved in the participant's discharge planning or follow-up care, be able to provide informed verbal consent, and be able to speak and read English sufficiently to complete study questionnaires. Caregivers may include family members, close supports, or legally authorized representatives
Who cannot take part
- Individuals with substance-induced psychosis or psychosis due to a medical condition will not be included in the study. We will use the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 as well as medical records, and if the subject gives permission, caregiver information in this process
- Individuals who do not meet criteria for a first episode of psychosis
Check if you might fit
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 40 years old?
Where in United States
- University of Chicago Medical Center, Biological Science DivisionChicago, United StatesContact: Madeline Perez Lab Manager, B.SNo longer taking part
- University of Chicago Ingalls Memorial HospitalHarvey, United StatesContact: Madeline Perez, B.STaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
This study is testing a new approach to help people with first episode psychosis transition successfully from the hospital to outpatient mental health care. Many patients lose contact with services after they leave the hospital, which can lead to worse outcomes. The investigators have developed a Transition Care Team (TCT) that works with patients while they are in the hospital and continues to support them after discharge. The team provides therapy, case management, and coordination with community programs that offer ongoing care. The main goal of the study is to find out if this new program increases the number of patients who successfully begin outpatient treatment after hospitalization, compared to usual care. The investigators will also look at whether the program improves symptoms, functioning, and overall well-being.
The group in the trial
- Individuals with First Episode Psychosis
Adults ages 18-40 admitted o an inpatient psychiatric unit with a first episode of psychosis (onset within prior 2 years) who received the Transition Care Team (TCT-FEP) intervention from hospitalization through to 6 weeks post-discharge
Treatment: Transition Care Team
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Adapting and Improving Transition Care for First Episode Psychosis
- Plain-language title
- Helping people with first episode psychosis move from hospital to outpatient careGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Fit questions
- Built from NCT07713849, who can take part
- Record updated
- 20 July 2026