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Bakker NF, van Weely SFE, Boonen A, Vliet Vlieland TPM, Knoop J. Work-related support for employed and self-employed people with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis: a cross-sectional online survey of patients. Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:1553-1565. [PMID: 38898306 PMCID: PMC11222234 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-024-05643-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the provision of work-related support for (self-)employed people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) by healthcare providers (HCPs) or employers. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the experiences of (self-)employed people with RA or axSpA regarding work-related support from HCPs and employers in the Netherlands. METHODS This cross-sectional study concerned an online survey for (self-)employed people, aged ≥ 16 years and diagnosed with RA or axSpA. The survey focused on experiences with HCPs and employers' work-related support and included questions on sociodemographic factors, health and work characteristics and work-related problems. RESULTS The survey was completed by 884 participants, 56% with RA and 44% with axSpA, of whom 65% were employed, 8% self-employed and 27% not employed. In total, 95% (589/617) of (self-)employed participants reported work-related problems. Sixty-five percent of employed and 56% of self-employed participants had discussed these work-related problems with rheumatologists and/or other HCPs. Whereas 69% of employees with their employer. Both employed and self-employed participants reported that work-related advices or actions were more often provided by other HCPs (53%) than rheumatologists (29%). Fifty-six percent of employees reported this work-related support by the employer. CONCLUSION This survey among (self-)employed people with RA or axSpA found that the majority reported work-related problems, but only half of them received any work-related support for these problems. Discussion of work-related problems with HCPs was more often reported by employed than self-employed participants. More attention from especially rheumatologists and other HCPs is important to identify and address work-related problems promptly.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Bakker
- Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O.Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - S F E van Weely
- Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O.Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Institute of Allied Health Professions, HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A Boonen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - T P M Vliet Vlieland
- Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O.Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J Knoop
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Hammond A, Tennant A, Ching A, Parker J, Prior Y, Gignac MAM, Verstappen SMM, O'Brien R. Psychometric testing of the British-English Long-Term Conditions Job Strain Scale, Long-Term Conditions Work Spillover Scale and Work-Health-Personal Life Perceptions Scale in four rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal Care 2023; 21:1020-1035. [PMID: 37165513 DOI: 10.1002/msc.1774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims were to validate linguistically British-English versions of the Long-Term Conditions Job Strain Scale (LTCJSS), Long-Term Conditions Work Spillover Scale (LTCWSS) and Work-Health-Personal Life Perceptions Scale (WHPLPS) in rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS The three scales were forward translated and reviewed by an expert panel prior to cognitive debriefing interviews. Participants completed a postal questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed using Rasch analysis. Concurrent validity included testing between the three scales and work (e.g., Workplace Activity Limitations Scale [WALS]) and condition-specific health scales. Two weeks later, participants were mailed a second questionnaire to measure test-retest reliability. RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 831 employed participants: 68% women, 53.5 (SD 8.9) years of age, with condition duration 7.7 (SD 8.0) years. The LTCJSS, LTCWSS and WHPLPS Parts 1 and 2 satisfied Rasch model requirements, but Part 3 did not. A Rasch transformation scale and Reference Metric equating scales with the WALS were created. Concurrent validity was generally good (rs = 0.41-0.85) for the three scales, except the WHPLPS Part 3. Internal consistency (Person Separation Index values) was consistent with group use in all conditions, and individual use except for the LTCWSS and WHPLSP Parts 1 and 2 in FM. Test-retest reliability was excellent, with intraclass coefficients (2,1) of 0.80-0.96 for the three scales in the four conditions. DISCUSSION Reliable, valid versions of the British-English LTCJSS, LTCWSS and WHPLPS Parts 1 and 2 are now available for use in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Hammond
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Alan Tennant
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Angela Ching
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
- King's Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Parker
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Yeliz Prior
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Monique A M Gignac
- Institute of Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzanne M M Verstappen
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rachel O'Brien
- College of Health, Well Being and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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Hammond A, Tennant A, Brown T, Prior Y, Ching A, Parker J. Psychometric testing of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Work Instability Scale in employed people with fibromyalgia. Musculoskeletal Care 2023; 21:1434-1446. [PMID: 37768007 DOI: 10.1002/msc.1829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to establish whether the Rheumatoid Arthritis Work Instability Scale (RA-WIS), in its current form, is applicable for use with employed people with fibromyalgia (FM) to identify the risk of work disability and need for work rehabilitation. METHODS Content validity was first investigated using cognitive debriefing interviews. Participants completed a postal questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed using Rasch analysis. Concurrent validity included testing between the RA-WIS and work (e.g., Workplace Activity Limitations Scale) and health (FM Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQ-R) scales. Two weeks later, participants were mailed a second questionnaire to measure test-retest reliability. RESULTS Interviews were conducted with 13 participants with FM. All RA-WIS items were considered very or extremely relevant by almost all participants, with only one suggesting other items (anxiety and brain fog). Questionnaire responses were analysed from 156 employed participants: 94% women; 45.71 (SD 10.05) years of age; with time since FM diagnosis 2.99 (4.17) years (symptom duration 8.36 (SD 7.16) years). The RA-WIS mostly satisfied Rasch model requirements and a Rasch transformation scale was created. Concurrent validity was generally good (rs = 0.55-0.66) with work scales and the FIQ-R. Internal consistency (Person Separation Index values) was consistent with group use in FM, not individual level use. Test-retest reliability was excellent, with intraclass coefficient (2, 1) = 0.90. DISCUSSION The RA-WIS is valid and reliable for group use in employed people with FM. However, further work is needed to develop a WIS for individual use in FM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Hammond
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Alan Tennant
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Tamara Brown
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Yeliz Prior
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Angela Ching
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
- King's Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Parker
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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Hammond A, O’Brien R, Woodbridge S, Parker J, Ching A. The Work Experience Survey - Rheumatic conditions (United Kingdom): Psychometric properties and identifying the workplace barriers of employed people with inflammatory arthritis receiving vocational rehabilitation. Musculoskeletal Care 2023; 21:1578-1591. [PMID: 37876334 PMCID: PMC10946830 DOI: 10.1002/msc.1835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims were to: revise the Work Experience Survey-Rheumatic Conditions (WES-RC- UK), a work assessment listing 142 workplace barriers; investigate content validity, reliability, and concurrent validity; update the accompanying WES-RC and WORKWELL Solutions Manuals; and investigate workplace barriers of people with inflammatory arthritis. METHODS Rheumatology therapists, following vocational rehabilitation (VR) training, assessed participants in the WORKWELL VR trial using the WES-RC. Data were extracted from the WES-RC to identify the frequency of workplace barriers, and from trial baseline questionnaires (e.g., Work Limitations Questionnaire-25 (WLQ-25). Barriers reported by ≤5 participants were considered for removal. WES-RC content validity was assessed by linking to the International Classification of Functioning, Health, and Disability Core Set for VR (ICF-VR). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α and concurrent validity by correlating the total number of workplace barriers reported with WLQ-25 scores. RESULTS WES-RCs were completed with 116 employed participants: 79% women, age 48.72 (SD 9.49) years, and 57% working full-time. The WES-RC was reduced to 121 barriers. Content validity was good, with 73/90 ICF-VR items linked. Cronbach's α = 0.92, that is, suitable for individual use. Concurrent validity was moderate: WLQ-25 (rs = 0.40). The three most common barriers were Physical Job Demands (100%: e.g., mobility 99%; hand use 74%), Mental, Time, Energy, Emotional Job Demands (91%, e.g., concentration 47%, remembering 41%); Getting Ready for and Travel to Work (87%, e.g., driving 60%). CONCLUSION The WES-RC (UK) has good content validity, reliability, and concurrent validity. The wide range of barriers emphasises the need for biopsychosocial work rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Hammond
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation ResearchSchool of Health and SocietyUniversity of SalfordSalfordGreater ManchesterUK
| | - Rachel O’Brien
- Occupational TherapySchool of Health & WellbeingSheffield Hallam UniversitySheffieldUK
| | - Sarah Woodbridge
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation ResearchSchool of Health and SocietyUniversity of SalfordSalfordGreater ManchesterUK
- (formerly) Work Fit Work SafeUniversity Hospitals of Derby and BurtonDerbyUK
| | - Jennifer Parker
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation ResearchSchool of Health and SocietyUniversity of SalfordSalfordGreater ManchesterUK
| | - Angela Ching
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation ResearchSchool of Health and SocietyUniversity of SalfordSalfordGreater ManchesterUK
- The University of QueenslandFaculty of Health and Behavioural SciencesMetro North Health, Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS)HertsonQueenslandAustralia
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Hammond A, Tennant A, Ching A, Parker J, Prior Y, Gignac MAM, Verstappen SMM, O'Brien R. Psychometric testing of the British-English Perceived Workplace Support Scale, Work Accommodations, Benefits, Policies and Practices Scale, and Work Transitions Index in four rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal Care 2023; 21:1261-1278. [PMID: 37596859 DOI: 10.1002/msc.1807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims were to validate linguistically British-English versions of the Perceived Workplace Support Scale (PWSS), Work Accommodations, Benefits, Policies and Practices Scale (WABPPS), and Work Transitions Index (WTI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS The three scales were adapted into British-English and reviewed by an expert panel prior to cognitive debriefing interviews. Participants completed postal questionnaires. Construct validity for the PWSS was assessed using Rasch analysis. Concurrent validity included testing between the three scales and work, job strain and work-life balance scales. Two weeks later, participants were mailed a second questionnaire to measure test-retest reliability. RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 831 employed participants: 68% women, 53.50 (SD 8.9) years of age, with condition duration 7.70 (SD 8.00) years. The PWSS satisfied Rasch model requirements. Concurrent validity was mostly as hypothesised, that is, weak to moderate negative correlations for the PWSS (rs = 0.07 to -0.61), and weak to moderate positive correlations for the WABPPS and WTI (rs = 0.20-0.52). Some correlations were stronger, mostly in axSpA. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for all three scales was consistent with group use in all conditions. Test-retest reliability was generally excellent, with intraclass coefficients (2,1) of 0.80-0.93 for the three scales in the four conditions. DISCUSSION Reliable, valid versions of the British-English PWSS, WABPPS, and WTI are now available for use in research, organisational level studies and vocational rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Hammond
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Alan Tennant
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Angela Ching
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
- King's Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Parker
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Yeliz Prior
- Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Monique A M Gignac
- Institute of Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzanne M M Verstappen
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rachel O'Brien
- College of Health, Well Being and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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