Vocational intervention in first-episode psychosis: individual placement and support v. treatment as usual.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.
Killackey
Eóin
E
Department of Psychology, School of Behavioural Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia. eoin@unimelb.edu.au
Jackson
Henry J
HJ
McGorry
Patrick D
PD
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods; D016832:Employment, Supported / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005791:Patient Care; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D014739:Victoria