JMIR Research Protocols (Jun 2023)

Feasibility of a Career Development Intervention for Veterans in Vocational Rehabilitation: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Brian Stevenson,
  • Taina Teravainen,
  • Ummul Kiram Kathawalla,
  • Margo Singer,
  • Sarah Wilkins,
  • Lisa Mueller,
  • Megan Kelly,
  • Marsha Ellison,
  • Steven D Shirk,
  • Shana Bakken,
  • David Blustein

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2196/47986
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12
p. e47986

Abstract

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BackgroundVeterans with psychiatric disorders want additional career development services to support their recovery and pursuit of meaningful employment. However, no career counseling programs have been designed for this specific population. We developed the Purposeful Pathways intervention to fill this need. ObjectiveThis study protocol aims to (1) evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Purposeful Pathways intervention for veterans living with psychiatric disorders and (2) explore preliminary clinical outcome data. MethodsA total of 50 veterans who are participating in transitional work vocational rehabilitation services at a Veterans Affairs hospital will be randomized to either treatment as usual or the augmented treatment condition (treatment as usual plus Purposeful Pathways). Feasibility will be assessed via recruitment rates, clinician fidelity to treatment, retention rates, and acceptability of randomization procedures. Acceptability will be assessed via client satisfaction at treatment termination using quantitative and qualitative data collection. Preliminary clinical and vocational outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks (treatment termination), and a 3-month follow-up via quantitative measures assessing vocational functioning, vocational process, and mental and physical functioning. ResultsThis pilot randomized controlled trial is beginning recruitment in June 2023 and is expected to continue through November 2025. Data collection is expected to be completed by February 2026, with full data analysis completed by March 2026. ConclusionsFindings from this study will provide information on the feasibility and acceptability of the Purposeful Pathways intervention, as well as secondary outcomes related to vocational functioning, vocational process, and mental and physical functioning. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04698967; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04698967 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/47986