TURMS Study. Version 1.0; June 2017
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Working Together: Understanding Job Retention in MS
IRAS ID
217529
Contact name
Charlotte R Wicks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 3 days
Research summary
It is well established that People with MS (PwMS) leave employment earlier than expected. A mismatch between a person’s functional and/or cognitive abilities and their work demands can put continuing employment at risk. This is referred to as ‘work instability’. Understanding what leads to increased work instability and how to reduce its occurrence, and mitigate its effects, is fundamental to helping PwMS have choices with regard to staying in work.
The aim of this project is to complement what we already know about the psychological determinants of job retention in MS with greater understanding of the context in which job retention is an issue for PwMS.
Our objectives are to interview approximately 6-8 PwMS who are currently in employment, despite challenges. In addition we will interview approximately 6-8 PwMS who have recently stopped working due to their MS. We will also interview approximately 6 relevant employers who have at least 2 years experience of managing employees with MS to ask them how, in their experience, employers and PwMS can work together to facilitate job retention. Finally, we will interview approximately 6-8 relevant health professionals and collect relevant policy documents. PwMS and health professionals will be invited to recommend any employer who they feel has relevant experience of managing people with MS at work. We will put this information together, along with a review of relevant literature, to produce an understanding of contextual factors influencing job retention in MS.
Recruitment will be from the West Yorkshire Specialist MS Clinics held at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, local NHS and community-based health services, as well as contacting HR persons from relevant companies. MS charities and current relevant networks will also be utilized for recruiting participants to this study.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0246
Date of REC Opinion
24 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion