Social implications and long-term consequences of mental disorders regarding sick days at work, unemployment rates and early retirement are substantial. There is no clear understanding

1. 1) whether and which social psychiatric strategies of vocational rehabilitation and

2. 2) whether and how atypical antipsychotics are successful in supporting vocational rehabilitation in schizophrenia.

Primary objective was to demonstrate the enhanced ability of schizophrenic patients to be successfully in employment after attending specific “job-consulting” programs. Secondary objective was to demonstrate positive effects of ziprasidone and risperidone on work-related functions.

Aim of the study was to enlighten the complex relationship between working performance of schizophrenic patients, their social psychiatric and medical treatment, and their cognitive capabilities in a first step.

The study was conducted in inpatients, day-clinic- or outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia, paranoid type (ICD 10: F20.0). All patients received regular pharmacological treatment and intense cognitive training, additionally one group completed specific “job-consulting” programs. ANT, CPT, WCST, PANSS and WBN were performed after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

At present eighteen schizophrenic patients (6 female and 12 male, mean age: 33.6 years) have been included in the study. Analyzing the data after 3 months the results are:

1. 1) specific “job-consulting” programs increase the probability of employment

2. 2) both, ziprasidone and risperidone, exert positive and comparable effects in work-related functions,

3. 3) the better the cognitive capability the better the vocational outcome.

Specific “job-consulting” programs constitute a clinically relevant therapeutic option in vocational rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients.