[The course of illness and rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients in ambulatory vocational therapy. A prospective study over 3 years].
Within the framework of a study on vocational rehabilitation of the mentally ill, we examined 83 schizophrenic outpatients enrolled in a work therapy program. The course of illness and rehabilitation was documented over a 3-year period by means of annual follow-up examinations. The sample comprised 44 men and 39 women with an average age of 35 years (SD +/- 8.5). The majority were chronically ill patients with a history of frequent and long psychiatric hospitalization. After 3 years, 22% of the patients were integrated into the general labor market, 26% had sheltered employment, 23% were still in work therapy, and 29% were unemployed. Besides the patients' subjective expectations, early introduction of rehabilitative measures and a favourable course of illness were found to be predictors of a successful rehabilitation leading to vocational integration. Outpatient work therapy is a contemporary, effective organizational form of sociotherapy. It may contribute to improved vocational competence and integration, reduced psychiatric hospitalization and stabilized psychopathology.
Reker
T
T
Eikelmann
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012759:Sheltered Workshops; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014478:Unemployment; D014829:Vocational Education