Using financial incentives to improve care after first-episode psychosis treatment
Official title: Behavioral Economics and Financial Incentive-Based Strategies to Optimize Post-CSC Outcomes
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10984232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to help people who have had their first episode of psychosis stay engaged with their care and stick to their treatment as they move from one type of support to another, using friendly reminders and helpful apps to keep in touch and make sure the methods are comfortable for everyone involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,940 |
| NIH project number | 1K23MH135187-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984232 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently experienced first-episode psychosis and are transitioning from Coordinated Specialty Care to post-CSC care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not transitioning from CSC or those who have not experienced first-episode psychosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and test strategies that use behavioral economics and financial incentives to enhance patient engagement, medication adherence, and avoidance of substances as individuals transition from Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for first-episode psychosis to post-CSC care. The study will address challenges such as loss of contact during care transitions and ethical concerns regarding these interventions. By utilizing tools like text messaging and mobile health applications, the research seeks to maintain patient contact and ensure that the strategies are ethically designed and acceptable to patients. The ultimate goal is to improve long-term outcomes for patients who have experienced first-episode psychosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment adherence and better long-term outcomes for patients transitioning from specialized care.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary research has shown that behavioral economic strategies can improve treatment adherence in other health conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in the post-CSC context.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, William Rudolph — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Smith, William Rudolph
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.