Psychosis Program

 

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The Psychosis Recovery Outreach Program (PROP) was established in 2016 in the department of psychiatry at AUBMC. It is the first specialist community service dedicated to serve individuals suffering from psychosis and their families in Lebanon. PROP is also the only program in the Middle East affiliated with the IEPA (Early Intervention in Mental Health) international network.

 

PROP is an integrated program founded by Dr. Joseph El-Khoury, psychiatrist with extensive experience in the treatment of severe mental disorders, including psychotic illnesses. The program relies on a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, including doctors, psychologists, nurses, social workers and researchers. Our team is also involved in professional education, training and research.

 

The program is suitable for anyone who is experiencing their first episode of psychosis or who has experienced it at any point in their life. There are no age restrictions. Psychosis is a mental disorder characterized by impaired thinking and emotions. The person might have difficulty differentiating between real and imagined experiences (e.g. see, hear, or believe things that aren't real).There are no age restrictions to accessing the program. Priority is given to the clinical care of our patients, through every stage of their illness. We also provide support services for families.

 

Admission to the program takes place either through self-referral or referral by a doctor or a family member. A comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition and needs leads to the development of a personalized care plan.

 

We provide evidence-based practice while also aiming to improve the quality of life of everyone involved where possible. PROP aims to alleviate the symptoms, maintain safety but to also improve the patient’s quality of life and community integration Our approach is proactive, consistent and person-centered. Interventions can include all or some of the following list:

 

Our values align with AUBMC’s core values of respect, integrity, accountability, and diversity. Our team aspires to guide patients towards recovery through collaborative decision making, person centeredness, and clinical competence. We do so by helping the patient understand and accept the experience of psychosis, and what it may mean for their future. We aim to instill hope for recovery and encourage patients to be active agents in their personal journey. Participants have a choice in deciding how to engage with the team and the services offered, as well as a voice in evaluating treatment outcomes.

 

 

If you are interested in knowing more about our team and our service, please consult the dedicated leaflet in English or Arabic​.

Alternatively, you can contact us on the direct line of the Department of Psychiatry at 961 1 759620.