title: Is employment-focused case management effective for patients with substance use disorders? Results from a controlled multi-site trial in Germany covering a 2-years-period after inpatient rehabilitation.
abstract: Substance use disorders are associated with unemployment. An employment-focused case management (CMRE) has been conceptualised as a specific intervention to help substance use disorder patients return to competitive employment immediately after inpatient rehabilitation. This study investigated the effect of the intervention on return to work of persons with substance use disorders.
  
  
  
  The study was conducted in four German inpatient rehabilitation departments, and included unemployed patients (aged between 18 and 63 years) with a main clinical diagnosis of ICD-10 F10-19 disorders. Six weeks before discharge, patients were randomly allocated to CMRE or standard care (SC) using a quasi-randomised approach. The primary outcome measure was integration into competitive employment 24 months after discharge from rehabilitation. Secondary outcome domains were abstinence, duration of employment, proportion of publicly funded employment, satisfaction with life, precarious housing situation and precarious financial situation, and use of follow-up services. Outcome measures were assessed 6 weeks and 1-2 days prior to discharge, and 12 and 24 months after discharge from rehabilitation.
  
  
  
  One hundred sixty patients were allocated into the CMRE group and 160 patients into the control group. 267 resp. 179 participants could be included in the analyses performed for the 12-, and the 24-months follow-up assessments. At the study endpoint the rate of integration into the primary labour market was 35.6 % in the CMRE group and 41.2 % in the control group, respectively (Relative Risk 0.92, 95 % CI, 0.47; 1.79). There was a significantly higher proportion in the CMRE group, however, which immediately after discharge linked with services of the Federal Employment Agency or Job Centres. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes between the groups.
  
  
  
  Compared to SC, the additional specific CMRE intervention did not result in superior effects on return to work rates, abstinence, satisfaction with life, and housing and precarious financial situation. But CMRE was more effective on linking substance use disorder patients with services of the Federal Employment Agency or Job Centres. Reasons for the finding that such close linking does not have an impact on return to work rates are discussed in detail.
  
  
  
  Identifier: DRKS00003574 ; March 12, 2012. The trial was retrospectively registered.
authors: Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 8, 06097, Halle, Germany. susanne.saal@uk-halle.de.
authors: Susanne
authors: 0000-0002-2493-601X
authors: S
authors: Saal
authors: SRH Medinet GmbH Fachklinik Alte Ölmühle, Berliner Chaussee 66, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors: Lukas
authors: L
authors: Forschner
authors: Diakonie-Krankenhaus Harz GmbH, Brockenstraße 1, 38875, Elbingerode, Germany.
authors: Dietmar
authors: D
authors: Kemmann
authors: AHG Klinik Römhild, Am Großen Gleichberg 2, 98630, Römhild, Germany.
authors: Jacqueline
authors: J
authors: Zlatosch
authors: HELIOS Park-Klinikum Leipzig, Zentrum für Seelische Gesundheit/Soteria Klinik Leipzig, Morawitzstr. 4, 04289, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Thomas W
authors: TW
authors: Kallert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D062707:Return to Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Case management; Controlled trial; Germany; Return to work; Substance use disorders