Negative work events and accommodations in employed multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Work disability is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and cognitive disorder discriminates disabled from employed patients. Our goal was to develop and validate an online vocational status monitoring tool measuring negative work events and use of accommodations. We enrolled 52 employed patients completing an online survey and a clinical examination including tests of motor function, cognitive abilities, and depression. The survey recorded a wide range of reported work problems. Regression models predicting negative work events, and use of accommodations, retained measures of ambulation, cognition, and depression. These data provide preliminary support for the validity of online vocational monitoring in MS.

Identifying employed multiple sclerosis patients at-risk for job loss: When do negative work events pose a threat?

“…All participants completed a 15-min online survey, described in detail elsewhere (Benedict et al, 2014), as a part of the study visit. In brief, four general areas were assessed: (a) demographics and disease characteristics, (b) self-reported symptoms as measured by the MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ) (Benedict et al, 2004), (c) general employment information (e.g.…”

“…Our hope is that this tool will allow us to recognize when otherwise under-reported work problems occur, serving as a signal for a clinical intervention. The initial validation of the online monitoring tool showed that both negative work events and workplace accommodations were related to neuro-performance tests (Benedict et al, 2014). It is unclear whether our observations are unique to MS or are ordinary struggles of employment in the general population.…”

“…From a clinical management point of view, it is more important to understand how the process of job loss unfolds, beginning presumably with an increase in work problems and need for accommodations, eventually leading to job loss. In an attempt to better understand this process, we have embarked upon a program of repeatedly monitoring negative work events and accommodations using an easily accessed online tool (Benedict et al, 2014). Our hope is that this tool will allow us to recognize when otherwise under-reported work problems occur, serving as a signal for a clinical intervention.…”

Aerobic Fitness and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…23 We further used independent-samples t tests to compare VO 2peak in those reporting dependence versus independence in performing each of the eight IADLs assessed and by employment status (employed or unemployed). We decided to complement the IADLs with employment status because we believe that this variable is an important benchmark of independence in people with MS. 24 Effect sizes based on Cohen's d were calculated and interpreted as small (0.2), moderate (0.5), or large (0.8).…”

Occupational stress and personality traits in multiple sclerosis: A preliminary study

“…In one approach, we examined online monitoring of work problems and use of accommodations (Benedict et al, 2014;Frndak et al, 2015). Recent work from other groups is exploring the role of fatigue and psychological factors in early work status changes (Schiavolin et al, 2013).…”