Long-term psychiatric patients in vocational rehabilitation programmes: a naturalistic follow-up study over 3 years

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 101; no. 6; pp. 457 - 463
• Main Authors: Reker, Th, Hornung, W. P., Schonauer, K., Eikelmann, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copenhagen Munksgaard International Publishers 01.06.2000
• Subjects: Adult; Chronic Disease; Employment - psychology; Employment - statistics & numerical data; Employment, Supported - statistics & numerical data; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Germany; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Male; mental disorders; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental Disorders - rehabilitation; Middle Aged; Occupational Therapy - statistics & numerical data; patient satisfaction; rehabilitation; Rehabilitation, Vocational - methods; Severity of Illness Index; Sheltered Workshops - statistics & numerical data; vocational; Germany
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.101006457.x

Objective: This paper aims at assessing the vocational integration attained after a 3‐year period by psychiatric patients who participated in different vocational rehabilitation programmes. Method: In the north‐western German region of Westphalia‐Lippe a naturalistic follow‐up study was carried out on 471 patients from three different types of vocational rehabilitation programmes. The sample comprised chronically ill patients with a history of repeated and long‐term hospitalization. Results: After 3 years 11% of the patients were in competitive employment, 67% (still) in sheltered employment, 7% in out‐patient work therapy programmes and 15% were unemployed. It is important to notice that 74% achieved their subjective rehabilitation goals expressed at baseline. Conclusion: Vocational rehabilitation programmes are an essential part in the treatment of people with chronic mental illness. Integration into work varies markedly while patients' satisfaction is comparably good. Competitive employment represents a realistic objective only for patients with high motivation and favourable preconditions.