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. 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.