Impact of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions on work

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The UNIQUE Study. Understanding the impact of Non-Inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions on work and work transitions: a QUalitativE investigation.

  • IRAS ID

    300080

  • Contact name

    LaKrista Morton

  • Contact email

    lakrista.morton@abdn.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Aberdeen

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 10 months, 17 days

  • Research summary

    Musculoskeletal conditions affect around 1 in 3 of the Scottish population. These conditions have a substantial impact on individuals’ ability to work and put individuals at risk of leaving the workforce. However, few programmes exist to support people with musculoskeletal conditions to stay in work. We have identified an effective online programme developed in Canada called Making it Work™ which supports individuals working with inflammatory arthritis to stay in work for as long as they wish to do so. We plan to adapt this programme so that it is relevant for people in the UK and so that it is relevant for people working with inflammatory and non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions However in order to be in a position to successfully make these changes we need to collect data on the specific functional, social and psychological impacts of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions on individuals’ work. We plan to carry out qualitative interviews with people who are working and have non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. The findings will allow us to plan necessary modifications to the Making it Work™ programme so that it can improve the working lives of individuals in the UK with inflammatory and non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions.

  • REC name

    London - South East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/PR/1004

  • Date of REC Opinion

    22 Jul 2021

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion