Optimising access to employment support for people with multiple sclerosis through charities: a qualitative study...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions can improve job retention for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Specialist VR services are scarce in the UK, and existing healthcare systems face capacity challenges.
• This study focuses on adapting an MS-specific VR intervention for delivery by charities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt an existing MS-specific VR intervention for implementation within UK charities.
• To identify necessary modifications for effective service delivery in a non-specialist setting.
• To ensure the sustainability and accessibility of VR support for people with MS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the ADAPT guidance and Normalization Process Theory (NPT) for intervention adaptation.
• Conducted semi-structured interviews with people with MS, employers, and charity employees.
• Engaged in informal communication with stakeholders from national disability employment charities.
• Employed framework analysis for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified four key themes for implementation: service structure, training non-specialists, intervention components, and service promotion.
• Recommended adaptations include structured intervention guidance, external collaborations, and performance monitoring.
• Interviewed 26 participants (11 people with MS, 12 charity employees, 3 employers) and 6 stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• The identified adaptations facilitate VR intervention delivery within charitable organizations.
• Mentoring, staff upskilling, and strategic partnerships are crucial for long-term intervention sustainability.
• This adapted model can enhance employment outcomes for individuals with MS through non-specialist support.