Article

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. 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.

Langue : ANGLAIS