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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Experiences with Individual Placement and Support and employment – a qualitative study among clients and employment specialists

Authors: Miljana Vukadin, Frederieke G. Schaafsma, Harry W. C. Michon, Marianne de Maaker-Berkhof, Johannes R. Anema

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based, effective approach to help people with severe mental illness (SMI) achieve competitive employment. The aim of the present study is to explore experiences with Individual Placement and Support using a multifaceted implementation strategy (IPS + MIS), and competitive employment. The goal of this strategy was to improve IPS implementation by enhancing collaboration between mental health care and vocational rehabilitation stakeholders, and realizing a secured IPS funding with a ‘pay for performance’ element.

Methods

A qualitative, exploratory study was performed using semi-structured interviews with IPS clients (n = 10) and two focus groups with IPS employment specialists (n = 7 and n = 8) to collect rich information about their experiences with IPS + MIS and competitive employment. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Themes related to experiences with IPS and the multifaceted implementation strategy were identified, including the importance of discussing the client’s motivation and motives to work, facilitators and barriers to obtaining and maintaining employment, facilitators to collaboration between stakeholders, barriers to benefits counselling, organizational barriers to IPS execution and collaboration between stakeholders, financial barriers to IPS execution and experiences with the pay for performance element.

Conclusions

Although the multifaceted implementation strategy seems to contribute to an improved IPS implementation, the barriers identified in this study suggest that further steps are necessary to promote IPS execution and to help people with SMI obtain and maintain competitive employment.

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Title: Experiences with Individual Placement and Support and employment – a qualitative study among clients and employment specialists
Authors: Miljana Vukadin
Frederieke G. Schaafsma
Harry W. C. Michon
Marianne de Maaker-Berkhof
Johannes R. Anema
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03178-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Experiences with Individual Placement and Support and employment – a qualitative study among clients and employment specialists

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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