Affiliations: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA | Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA | Rutgers University School of Health Related Professions, Newark, NJ, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Alison Luciano, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Rivermill Commercial Center, 85 Mechanic Street, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA. Tel.: +1 603 448 0263; Fax: +1 603 448 3976; E-mail: Alison.Luciano@Dartmouth.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based vocational rehabilitation intervention for people with severe mental illness. IPS emphasizes client choice, rapid job finding, competitive employment, team-oriented approaches, benefits counseling, and ongoing supports. OBJECTIVE: This paper summarizes 20 years of research on IPS, describes studies in the field now, and proposes priorities for future research. METHODS: To identify published and unpublished IPS research studies, we conducted an electronic search of qualitative and quantitative IPS studies, findings from recent reviews, and sought expert recommendation. RESULTS: Past research indicates that IPS supported employment is the most effective and cost-effective approach for helping people with psychiatric disabilities find and maintain competitive employment. Employment improves clinical, social, and economic outcomes. Current studies on IPS address several research gaps: IPS modification, generalizability, program settings, international dissemination, cultural awareness, and supportive technology. Looking forward, the field needs studies that report long-term outcomes, financing mechanisms, cost offsets, and standardized supported education models. CONCLUSIONS: While IPS is one of the most extensively studied of all vocational models, significant literature gaps remain.
