The Challenges of measuring rates of first episode of psychosis in New Zealand's national collection

This paper will describe the challenges of accurately measuring the rates of first episode of psychosis recorded in NZ's national collection for mental health and addiction services. New Zealand's national data system for... [ view full abstract ]

This paper will describe the challenges of accurately measuring the rates of first episode of psychosis recorded in NZ's national collection for mental health and addiction services.
New Zealand's national data system for mental health and addictions is known as PRIMHD -programme for the integration of mental health data. This national data base collects considerable activity and outcomes data, including diagnosis. However first episode of psychosis diagnosis as opposed to a diagnosis of psychosis per se is not captured by the system. Hence there has been a need to develop a methodology to accurately record the numbers of people with first episode psychosis.
This paper will describe the methodology chosen and the challenges of developing this system using existing data entered into the data base.
This paper should be of interest to anyone concerned about accurately capturing data on first episode psychosis and how that data can be used in ways which give it clinical utility.