Addressing cognitive health in coordinated specialty care for early psychosis: Real-world perspectives

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Amplify OnTrackNY publication summaries summarize peer-reviewed publications focused on quality improvement or research conducted to help us learn & improve the program.

Study snapshot

Cognitive health refers to the brain's ability to support thinking, learning, and responding to information. This study explores how cognitive health is addressed by teams at OnTrackNY. Study findings also inform the development of a toolkit to help determine participant needs, and share resources for cognitive skills training.¹  

This study asks:

1. How is cognitive health viewed and incorporated into recovery service planning at OnTrackNY?
2. What tools do teams use to assess cognitive health strengths and needs?
3. What factors do providers feel may affect cognitive health treatment?

53 team leaders and primary clinicians at 22 OnTrackNY teams completed a web-based survey that: (1) assessed knowledge of cognition and its treatment, 2) explored cognitive health practices currently used and interest in adopting new ones, and (3) identified factors that may affect cognitive health assessment and treatment.

Study findings

Finding 1. Most providers defined cognitive health in terms of specific skills (e.g., memory, attention). However, over half reported lacking enough knowledge to discuss cognitive health with participants.

Finding 2. Cognitive health assessment and treatment were being employed inconsistently across the OnTrackNY teams surveyed.

Finding 3. Most providers felt there was a need for tools to address cognitive health and that they would use these in practice if provided.

Finding 4. Factors that facilitate addressing cognitive health included valuing knowledge about cognitive health, enthusiasm about integrating new treatment approaches, and perception of participant interest.

Figure 1: Top 5 barriers addressing cognitive health concerns with OnTrackNY participants

Final thoughts

While study findings suggest teams are open to using practices that address cognitive health, they also indicate a need for more training and resources to support cognitive skills assessment, education, and family work. Future studies will evaluate the use of a cognitive health toolkit across OnTrackNY programs.

References

1. Mascay ano F, van der Ven E, Martinez-Ales G, Basaraba C, Jones N, Lee R, Bello I, Nossel I, Smith S, Smith TE, Wall M, Susser E, Dixon LB. Predictors of Early Discharge From Early Intervention Services for Psychosis in New York State. Psychiatric Services. 2020 Nov 1;71(11):1151-1157. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000025. PMID: 32933413; PMCID: PMC8237377.
 

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