Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Expert Centres are mental health facilities specialised in the diagnosis of severe mental disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, autism), aiming to improve care quality for patients through precision psychiatry. Our study investigated patients', carers' and health professionals’ perceptions of care trajectory at the French Expert Centres for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.
METHODS: A transversal empirical study grounded in-depth qualitative interviews was conducted in 8 Expert Centres between 2023 and 2025. Participants were adult patients receiving care in Expert Centres for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, their carers, and health professionals working within the facilities or having referred patients to it. Interviews conducted with patients and carers explored prior care pathways, expectations of Expert Centres, experiences of access, evaluation, restitution and follow-up visits. Interviews conducted with health professionals investigated work routines and subjective needs.
RESULTS: The study included 16 patients of Schizophrenia Expert Centres, 15 patients of Bipolar Disorder Expert Centres, 14 caregivers, 7 external clinicians and 9 healthcare professionals working within the facilities. Patients living with bipolar disorder and patients living with schizophrenia value the model of care at the Expert Centres differently. The former appreciate a personalised approach, while the latter value the offer as “unbiased” and objective. Similarly, healthcare professionals working within the facilities tended to have different perceptions of their expert role, ranging from research and diagnostic efficiency to the follow up care. On the other hand, carers and external clinicians presented unified perceptions of Expert Centres’ care.
CONCLUSIONS: Differences in appreciation of the Expert Centres’ model are analysed in regard to disorder-differentiated prior care pathways, demonstrating the need for disorder-oriented specifications.