| Citation: |
Schiavolin, S., Leonardi, M., Giovannetti, A. M., Antozzi, C., Brambilla, L., Confalonieri, P., & Raggi, A. (2013). Factors related to difficulties with employment in patients with multiple sclerosis: A review of 2002-2011 literature.
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 36
(2),
105-111.
|
| Title: |
Factors related to difficulties with employment in patients with multiple sclerosis: A review of 2002-2011 literature |
| Authors: |
Schiavolin, S., Leonardi, M., Giovannetti, A. M., Antozzi, C., Brambilla, L., Confalonieri, P., & Raggi, A. |
| Year: |
2013 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research |
| Publisher: |
Wolters Kluwer |
| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.1097/MRR.0b013e32835c79ea
|
| Full text: |
https://insights.ovid.com/pubmed?pmid=23238667
|
PDF
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
No
|
|
Research design:
|
Literature review
|
| Background: |
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a severe autoimmune disorder that can affect the day-to-day functioning of those who have it. Treatment is complex, and varies with the stage the disease is currently in. Because of this, MS often has a negative effect on an individual's employment and future employment prospects. |
|
Purpose:
|
The goal of this review is to study current knowledge about how MS affects the employment and ability to perform work-related tasks in those who have it, as well as the influence of demographic and environmental variables. |
|
Setting:
|
The literature reviewed was taken from PubMed and EMBASE, and consisted of articles including the keywords 'multiple sclerosis,' 'employment,' 'unemployment,' 'work,' or 'work barrier.' All articles were published between 2002 and 2011. |
|
Data collection and analysis:
|
Descriptive statistics were used to present and aggregate the data found within the studies and literature that were reviewed. |
|
Findings:
|
The studies reported that fatigue and mobility issues were among the greatest concerns of people with MS in trying to remain employed, and that because of the medical issues, 59% of individuals with MS are unemployed. The inability of people to work increases with the severity of MS symptoms |
|
Conclusions:
|
Very few papers had been published about people with MS experiencing difficulties at work, and even fewer reported any positive factors that would improve their performance or morale, focusing mainly on the variables that reduce them. Counselling is useful to people with MS to reduce the stigma of their disease that coworkers and employers represent. |
