Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran
Abstract Background Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) often face challenges in obtaining and maintaining employment, resulting in low occupational rates. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program has been proven effective in promoting employment for people with SMI. However, its...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Discover Mental Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00174-w |
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| author | Zahra Mirsepassi Maryam Tabatabaee Mansoureh Panahi Shahrzad Chehrenegar Vandad Sharifi Pardis Shekari Elnaz Pashaei Ghelichi Zohreh Tadbiri Nooshabadi Maryam Rasoulian |
| author_facet | Zahra Mirsepassi Maryam Tabatabaee Mansoureh Panahi Shahrzad Chehrenegar Vandad Sharifi Pardis Shekari Elnaz Pashaei Ghelichi Zohreh Tadbiri Nooshabadi Maryam Rasoulian |
| author_sort | Zahra Mirsepassi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) often face challenges in obtaining and maintaining employment, resulting in low occupational rates. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program has been proven effective in promoting employment for people with SMI. However, its implementation in low-resource settings is limited. This study aims to share the experience of developing and implementing IPS in Iran and to discuss the challenges encountered. Methods An interdisciplinary team was formed, including academic members and experts in providing occupational services. Employment specialists were trained through workshops and supervision sessions. Stakeholders, including hospital administrators and psychiatrists, were engaged to promote the adoption of IPS. The study included individuals with SMI who accepted the invitation to participate. The IPS fidelity scale was utilized to assess the quality of the service. Results During the 36-month study period, 40 clients were referred, with a majority being male and having a diploma or university degree. The IPS fidelity scale scores were 74 at 6 months and 96 at 12 months. However, a significant dropout rate was observed, with the majority occurring during the first and third steps of the IPS process. Conclusion The implementation of IPS in Iran faced challenges, including limited resources and high dropout rates. Despite these challenges, the study demonstrates the feasibility of developing and implementing IPS in a low-resource setting. Efforts to secure funding and engage stakeholders were crucial for the sustainability of the service. This study highlights the need for comprehensive, evidence-based occupational programs for individuals with SMI in Iran and similar settings. Further research and interventions are warranted to address the identified challenges and improve employment outcomes for individuals with SMI. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6c58eb2458474d599cc6b099c0a0e8d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-4383 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-6c58eb2458474d599cc6b099c0a0e8d52025-08-20T03:52:23ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-04-01511810.1007/s44192-025-00174-wIndividual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in IranZahra Mirsepassi0Maryam Tabatabaee1Mansoureh PanahiShahrzad Chehrenegar2Vandad Sharifi3Pardis Shekari4Elnaz Pashaei Ghelichi5Zohreh Tadbiri Nooshabadi6Maryam Rasoulian7Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical SciencesRaad CharityDepartment of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical SciencesIran University of Medical SciencesTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran University of Medical SciencesMental Health Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) often face challenges in obtaining and maintaining employment, resulting in low occupational rates. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program has been proven effective in promoting employment for people with SMI. However, its implementation in low-resource settings is limited. This study aims to share the experience of developing and implementing IPS in Iran and to discuss the challenges encountered. Methods An interdisciplinary team was formed, including academic members and experts in providing occupational services. Employment specialists were trained through workshops and supervision sessions. Stakeholders, including hospital administrators and psychiatrists, were engaged to promote the adoption of IPS. The study included individuals with SMI who accepted the invitation to participate. The IPS fidelity scale was utilized to assess the quality of the service. Results During the 36-month study period, 40 clients were referred, with a majority being male and having a diploma or university degree. The IPS fidelity scale scores were 74 at 6 months and 96 at 12 months. However, a significant dropout rate was observed, with the majority occurring during the first and third steps of the IPS process. Conclusion The implementation of IPS in Iran faced challenges, including limited resources and high dropout rates. Despite these challenges, the study demonstrates the feasibility of developing and implementing IPS in a low-resource setting. Efforts to secure funding and engage stakeholders were crucial for the sustainability of the service. This study highlights the need for comprehensive, evidence-based occupational programs for individuals with SMI in Iran and similar settings. Further research and interventions are warranted to address the identified challenges and improve employment outcomes for individuals with SMI.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00174-w |
| spellingShingle | Zahra Mirsepassi Maryam Tabatabaee Mansoureh Panahi Shahrzad Chehrenegar Vandad Sharifi Pardis Shekari Elnaz Pashaei Ghelichi Zohreh Tadbiri Nooshabadi Maryam Rasoulian Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran Discover Mental Health |
| title | Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran |
| title_full | Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran |
| title_fullStr | Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran |
| title_short | Individual placement and support; service development and implementation of an evidence-based practice in Iran |
| title_sort | individual placement and support service development and implementation of an evidence based practice in iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00174-w |
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