Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41804949›Full record

ArticleEarly intervention in psychiatry2026

Implementing A Cognitive Screening Tool as Part of Routine Clinical Practice in Early Intervention for Psychosis Services: A Qualitative Analysis.

Megan Cowman, Leona Ryan, Maeve Dwan-O'Reilly, Anna O'Mahony-Sinnott, Conor Gavin, Donagh O'Neill, Sharon McGuinness, Karen O'Shea, Vicki Foye, Karen O'Connor and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Early intervention in psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Megan CowmanSchool of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Leona RyanSchool of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Maeve Dwan-O'ReillySchool of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Anna O'Mahony-SinnottSchool of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Conor GavinSchool of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Donagh O'NeillHSE Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Sligo, Ireland.
Sharon McGuinnessHSE Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Sligo, Ireland.
Karen O'SheaHSE Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Meath, Ireland.
Vicki FoyeHSE Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Meath, Ireland.
Karen O'ConnorRise Service, HSE, Cork, Ireland.
Gary DonohoeSchool of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3037-7426

Funding

Irish Health Research Board RL-2020-007
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCognitive difficulties are a core feature of first-episode psychosis (FEP) and a key predictor of recovery. Despite this, cognitive screening is not routine in early intervention services (EIS) and limited research is available on the barriers and facilitators to its uptake. In this study, we explored front line staff's experiences with implementing a cognitive screener as part of routine practice in Irish EIS.

methodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 12 healthcare workers from three Irish EIS sites between September 2023 and July 2024. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis, with an abductive approach that mapped initial insights to the Consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) to identify implementation barriers and facilitators. The cognitive screener used was the Letter Number sequencing task, selected for its predictive accuracy in previous research.

resultsSeveral key barriers and facilitators to implementation were identified. These included a lack of standardised guidelines, insufficient resources, staff uncertainty and client-related challenges. Facilitators included the perceived clinical utility of the screener, the need for increased training and support, improved client engagement and system-level changes to facilitate adoption.

conclusionThis study highlights a readiness among clinicians to integrate cognitive screening into routine care and identifies some of the key requirements for doing so, including formal guidance, staff training, and the use of tools that are practical and client-friendly. Responding to these needs can help bridge the gap between best-practice guidelines and routine clinical care, leading to more personalised and effective treatment for individuals with FEP.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelCognitive DysfunctionEarly Medical InterventionPsychotic DisordersAdultFemaleHealth PersonnelHumansIrelandMaleQualitative Researchcognitionearly interventionpsychosisschizophreniascreening

Identifiers

PMID41804949
PMCPMC12973332

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.