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First Episode Psychosis: Early Identification and Intervention

Registration Options

Activity Dates: 04/17/2023 - 04/17/2026

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Session Time and Location

The live session is complete.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Session Summary

Given the heterogeneous presentation of psychotic syndromes, it is important to conceptualize a broad differential diagnosis for any psychotic presentation, particularly for young adults and early stages of psychosis. Importantly, early identification and intervention for prodromal psychosis is thought to decrease the risk of developing a full psychotic syndrome, and targeted interventions for first episode psychosis (FEP) have demonstrated important improvements in symptom reduction, quality of life, and vocational and educational engagement compared to treatment as usual. Antipsychotic medications are the first line pharmacologic treatment for FEP, while use in prodromal psychosis is still controversial. Antipsychotics have demonstrated effectiveness, however long-term head-to-head comparisons between agents are limited, especially in FEP. Best practices for treatment of FEP incorporate support from a multi-disciplinary team that offers medication management alongside a variety of psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Sign in (or create a FREE account).
  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • If necessary, complete the post-test retest no later than the closing activity date.
  • Receive a passing grade (70%).
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Upon successful completion, ACPE credit is reported within 24 hours to CPE Monitor although transcripts can be retrieved by participants online in their ACPE Transcript.

Faculty Information

Ashley Overley, MD

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Learning Objectives

  1. Identify the signs of prodromal and early psychosis.
  2. Review the differential diagnoses for first episode psychosis.
  3. Compare pharmacologic treatment options for first episode psychosis.
  4. Recognize best practices of care for first episode psychosis.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 04/17/2023 - 04/17/2026
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-23-028-H01-P (Knowledge)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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