AOTA

Earn CE Credit With AJOT Articles!

Learn about tested treatment strategies by reading AJOT articles in your area of practice. Become an evidence-based practitioner and demonstrate your knowledge by passing the course exam.  Articles have been selected for their relevance to practice, fresh ideas, and strong evidence supporting treatment and the distinct value of OT.

Credit: .1 CEUs (1.25 NBCOT PDU’s/1 contact hour)

Authors

Susan Noyes, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Southern Maine, Lewiston

Helena Sokolow, MOT, OTR, is Adjunct Instructor, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Southern Maine, Lewiston.

Marian Arbesman, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, and President, ArbesIdeas, Inc., Williamsville, NY.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Many of the estimated 9.8 million American adults with serious mental illness (SMI) want to engage in employment and education, yet the majority report a need for more skills training. This review presents evidence for the effectiveness of interventions that occupational therapy practitioners can provide to help people with SMI improve and maintain performance and participation in employment and education.

METHOD. Citations, abstracts, and full-text articles in databases including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTseeker, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were reviewed for inclusion and analysis.

RESULTS. Fifty-seven articles met criteria for inclusion. For employment, strong evidence was found for the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and cognitive interventions. For education, moderate evidence was found for supported education interventions.

CONCLUSION. This systematic review supports the role of occupational therapy practitioners in promoting the implementation of IPS, cognitive-based, and social skills programs to improve vocational and educational outcomes for adults with SMI.

Learning Objectives

Following this course, the learner will be able to:

1)      Discuss barriers to employment and education for adults with serious mental illness

2)      List various interventions that fall within the scope of occupational therapy that are used to support employment and education for people with serious mental illness.

3)      Based on the evidence, describe the efficacy of occupational therapy interventions used with people with serious mental illness to support education and employment. Discuss implications for occupational therapy practice and future research.

Exam questions for this course authored by Marie Morreale, OTR/L

Learning Level: Advanced

Target Audience: Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants

Content Focus: Category 1: Domain of OT; Category 2: OT Process: Intervention

CE Find Key Words:  mental health, serious mental illness, interventions, employment, occupational performance, occupational participation.

Reference Information:

Noyes, S., Sokolow, H., & Arbesman, M. (2018). Evidence for occupational therapy intervention with employment and education for adults with serious mental illness: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7205190010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.033068