Implementing vocational rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis in the UK National Health Service: a mixed-methods feasibility study

De Dios Perez, Blanca; Holmes, Jain; Elder, Tracey; Lindley, Rebecca; Evangelou, Nikos; das Nair, Roshan; Senior, Caolan; Booth, Vicky; Hassard, Juliet; Ford, Helen L.; Newsome, Ian; Radford, Kate

Abstract

Purpose: To implement a job retention vocational rehabilitation (VR) intervention (MSVR) for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their employers in the UK National Health Service (NHS). Methods: Multicentre, single-arm feasibility study with post-intervention interviews. MSVR was delivered by an occupational therapist (OT). Feasibility was assessed by recruitment rates, compliance, and practicality of delivery. Acceptability was assessed with post-intervention interviews. A survey assessed change in eight vocational outcomes (e.g., vocational goals, work instability) immediately post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Recruitment and training an OT was challenging. Twenty participants with MS, three employers, and three healthcare professionals were recruited. All participants but one completed the intervention. Factors affecting intervention adherence included annual leave and family responsibilities. MSVR was associated with improved vocational goal attainment post-intervention (t(18) = 7.41, p = <0.001) and at follow-up (t(17) = 6.01, p = <0.001). There was no change to the remaining outcomes. Interviews identified six themes: intervention impact, accessibility of support, the OT’s role, readiness for support, workplace supportiveness, and barriers to NHS delivery. Conclusion: Challenges with recruitment, identifying newly diagnosed MS participants, and understanding the OT’s training needs to deliver the intervention were identified. The intervention demonstrated acceptability, but participants wanted it to continue for longer to address further needs.

Citation

De Dios Perez, B., Holmes, J., Elder, T., Lindley, R., Evangelou, N., das Nair, R., Senior, C., Booth, V., Hassard, J., Ford, H. L., Newsome, I., & Radford, K. (2024). Implementing vocational rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis in the UK National Health Service: a mixed-methods feasibility study. Disability and Rehabilitation, https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2417031

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 8, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 22, 2024
• Publication Date: Oct 22, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 23, 2024
• Journal: Disability and Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 0963-8288
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-5165
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2417031
• Keywords: vocational rehabilitation; multiple sclerosis; job retention
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40859269
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2024.2417031
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=idre20; Received: 2024-05-21; Revised: 2024-10-07; Accepted: 2024-10-08; Published: 2024-10-22