Program Overview

The Schizophrenia Treatment and Education Program (referred to as STEP) is based at the Health Sciences Centre. This multidisciplinary program includes an inpatient unit, outpatient clinics and a rehabilitation readiness component. In addition, STEP provides specialized consultation services, both medical and non-medical, regarding the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with psychotic disorders. The program focuses on the comprehensive management of adults with psychotic disorders of thought, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder. Particular areas of clinical interest include early or first episode psychosis, complex or treatment-resistant schizophrenia and individuals with co-occurring major mental illness and substance abuse or dependence.

The 14 bed inpatient unit, located on ward PY3 North, provides care to individuals who may or may not be considered STEP patients. These patients come from a variety of sources. The inpatient team consists of staff psychiatrists, a social worker, nurses, occupational and recreational therapists and a mental health rehabilitation worker. Consultations can be obtained from various programs, including Clinical Health Psychology.

Those who are followed by the outpatient part of the program are considered STEP patients. The outpatient clinics are staffed by psychiatrists, senior nurse-therapists and occupational therapists. The occupational therapy staff, together with the recreation therapist and the mental health rehabilitation worker, provide a range of services under the heading of "rehabilitation readiness". The emphasis is to prepare patients for and connect them with community-based services. Referrals are accepted from psychiatrists and other physicians, either through HSC psychiatry's centralized intake, or by direct physician referral to the program.

STEP provides a range of training opportunities to medical students, psychiatric residents, nursing students at various levels of training, as well as occupational therapy and social work students. The program maintains links with a wide range of community services, programs and agencies, including the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Clubhouse of Winnipeg. Through outreach and community education, STEP participates in various programs to increase public knowledge about schizophrenia and decrease discrimination against the mentally ill.