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Published on: April 23, 2014
Vocational intervention in first-episode psychosis: individual placement and support v. treatment as usual
Eóin Killackey1, Henry J Jackson, Patrick D McGorry
1Department of Psychology, School of Behavioural Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia. eoin@unimelb.edu.au
Background:
Unemployment is a major problem for people with first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia. This has repercussions for the economy, social functioning and illness prognosis.
Aims:
To examine whether a vocational intervention - individual placement and support (IPS) - which has been found to be beneficial in populations with chronic schizophrenia, was a useful intervention for those with first-episode psychosis.
Method:
A total of 41 people with first-episode psychosis were randomised to receive either 6 months of IPS + treatment as usual (TAU) (n=20) or TAU alone (n=21).
Results:
The IPS group had significantly better outcomes on level of employment (13 v. 2, P<0.001), hours worked per week (median 38 v. 22.5, P=0.006), jobs acquired (23 v. 3) and longevity of employment (median 5 weeks v. 0, P=0.021). The IPS group also significantly reduced their reliance on welfare benefits.
Conclusions:
Individual placement and support has good potential to address the problem of vocational outcome in people with first-episode psychosis. This has economic, social and health implications.
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