Staying at work and living with MS: a qualitative study of the impact of a vocational rehabilitation intervention

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the impact of a patient designed occupational therapy led vocational rehabilitation (VR) intervention on the experiences of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were experiencing work instability. We used qualitative in-depth interviews to gain insight into participants’ experiences of the intervention and identify the aspects that were most helpful from the participants’ perspectives. Design: We conducted interviews with 19 participants 2–8 weeks after the completion of their VR intervention. In these interviews, the participants were asked to describe the processes of the intervention and the influence of these on their work and MS. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and data analysis involved coding and the use of the constant comparative method to develop themes. Results: We identified five major themes related to the impact of the intervention on “understanding my symptoms and their management in the workplace”, “removing my anxieties”, “understanding and influencing my employer”, “managing my loss of confidence” and “having professional support”. Conclusions: The VR intervention was valued by people with MS who felt that after the intervention they had a greater understanding of disease related, work related and personal factors that impacted on their ability to work and they were supported to manage these by a skilled professional. The themes identified in this study help gain insight into the participants’ experience of the intervention and identify aspects that were most helpful from the participants’ perspectives. This information could be used to inform further research and service development.Implication for RehabilitationVocational rehabilitation can be effective in maintaining people with MS in their employment and help to remove some of the physical and emotional barriers that can develop.Employers and employees with MS must work together to effectively manage the MS in the workplace; a health professional can facilitate, support and encourage this dynamic process.