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The following is a summary of “A qualitative study of the IPS employment specialist role in the context of Nav employment in Norway,” published in the May 2025 issue of BMC Psychiatry by Moe et al. 

Employment was recognized as a fundamental human right, yet many individuals with severe mental illness—some with neurological underpinnings—remained outside the workforce despite the established benefits of appropriate employment for mental health, recovery, and citizenship. This gap led to the development of Individual Placement and Support (IPS), an evidence-based model integrating treatment and employment support. 

Researchers collected qualitative data using field notes and five focus group interviews. The participants included 36 IPS employment specialists from 13 sites in Northern Norway. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts and field notes. 

The results showed that IPS structures were established in Norway, but integration within health teams remained challenging. Employment specialists found their work with clients meaningful and impactful and reported opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

Investigators concluded that their study provided an increased understanding of employment specialists’ job situations within the new Norwegian IPS context, highlighting their crucial perspectives as “front-line workers” enacting IPS principles amidst resolved early intervention challenges and supportive policy. 

Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-025-06991-1