STEP Learning Collaborative at this year's Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Conference

What happens after someone starts coordinated specialty care (CSC) for first-episode psychosis, and how can we support ongoing engagement over time? These questions were explored in two poster presentations at the 2026 Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Congress in Florence, Italy: “Discharge from Coordinated Specialty Care: Timing, Reasons, and Predictors in a National Early Psychosis Network” and “Psychiatric Hospitalization Outcomes After Enrollment in Coordinated Specialty Care for First-Episode Psychosis: Findings from the Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) in the United States.”

Across a national early psychosis network, the discharge-focused analysis found that many people leave coordinated specialty care (CSC) within 36 months, often for reasons that are not clearly recorded, such as loss of contact. Patterns of discharge changed over time. Earlier departures were often unplanned, while planned transitions happened more gradually.

In related work using Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) data, early findings showed that psychiatric hospitalizations decreased after people entered coordinated specialty care (CSC). However, individuals with prior hospitalizations and longer durations of untreated psychosis remained at higher risk.

Together, these findings highlight the importance of continuity of care, engagement, and outcomes in early psychosis services.

The event provided an opportunity to share emerging findings, receive feedback, and connect with colleagues working to strengthen early psychosis care systems.

STEP Program faculty and collaborators participated actively in this year’s meeting, with several presentations highlighting ongoing work in early psychosis care. These included contributions from Program Director Vinod Srihari, MD, and STEP Program alumna Maria Ferrara, MD, PhD, now an associate professor at the University of Ferrara.

This presence reflects STEP’s longstanding commitment to integrating clinical care, research, and training to improve care for individuals with early psychosis.

The meeting also reflected strong international interest in work focused not only on symptom reduction, but also on access to care, continuity, and longer-term recovery trajectories.