Clinician Scientist Profiles: Graduate Steam
GRAFFI, Justin
Dr. Justin Graffi is a PGY5 resident. Improving access to psychiatric care is one reason that he decided to pursue a career in psychiatry. Specifically, he wants to improve access to psychiatric care in rural parts of Canada. One way that he wants to increase access to care is through research. There are unique challenges that rural communities face in order to access psychiatric care. These challenges remain under researched. It is well established that people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) benefit from earlier intervention and follow-up. Poor clinical and functional outcomes are associated with extended duration of untreated psychosis. However, there is limited data examining the psychiatric care and treatment of people experiencing first episode psychosis in rural settings. Additionally, there is limited research examining the differences between clinical and functional outcomes of people in rural communities. His PhD project aims to explore the treatment of people with first episode psychosis in rural parts of Ontario, specifically focusing on early psychosis intervention programs in rural parts of Ontario.