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Ruth E Crowther a School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences,
University of Manchester, Manchester PR2 9HT, b Department of
Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN
46202-3275, USA, c Health Services Research, King's College Institute of
Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF
Correspondence to: M Marshall, Academic Unit, Royal
Preston Hospital, Preston PR2 9HT mmarshall{at}man.ac.uk
Objective:
To determine the most effective way of
helping people with severe mental illness to obtain competitive
employment
that is, a job paid at the market rate, and for which
anyone can apply.
Design:
Systematic review.
Participants:
Eligible studies were randomised
controlled trials comparing prevocational training or supported
employment (for people with severe mental illness) with each other or
with standard community care.
Outcome measures:
The primary outcome was number of
subjects in competitive employment. Secondary outcomes were other
employment outcomes, clinical outcomes, and costs.
Results:
Eleven trials met the inclusion
criteria. Five (1204 subjects) compared prevocational training with
standard community care, one (256 subjects) compared supported
employment with standard community care, and five (484 subjects)
compared supported employment with prevocational training. Subjects in supported employment were more likely to be in competitive employment than those who received prevocational training at 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, and
18 months (for example, 34% v 12% at 12 months; number needed to treat 4.45, 95% confidence interval 3.37 to 6.59). This effect was still present, although at a reduced level, after a sensitivity analysis that retained only the highest quality trials (31% v 12%; 5.3, 3.6 to 10.4). People in supported
employment earned more and worked more hours per month than those who
had had prevocational training.
Conclusion:
Supported employment is more effective
than prevocational training at helping people with severe mental
illness obtain competitive employment.