None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Research indicates a low employment rate among adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) or multiple sclerosis (MS) despite many feeling capable of engaging in paid employment. Resuming employment provides an opportunity to interact with others and has been shown to contribute to general wellbeing and life satisfaction. Though specialist vocational rehabilitation services exist, barriers to accessing these services have been identified. These barriers include (but are not limited to): delays in the timeliness of vocational interventions, transportation and/or financial difficulties, and social stigma. In this context, time-efficient, cost-effective and accessible methods of vocational service delivery present clinical appeal. This includes the use of information and communication technologies (i.e. Internet) to supplement face-to-face rehabilitation. Specific aims of this study will be to: 1. Develop and evaluate an online vocational resource for working-age adults with SCI or MS 2. Identify facilitators of, and barriers to, online learning We expect to demonstrate that access to online services will facilitate and promote vocational behaviours and, potentially, contribute to positive mental health outcomes.
Interventions
Intervention participants will receive 7 online modules, by email, on study enrollment. The modules, based on established principles of successful vocational rehabilitation, include 1 introductory module and 6 learning modules (see below). Each module has hyperlinks to activity worksheets and online resources. The modules are self-paced although should take no more than 20 minutes, each, to complete. To promote engagement with the resource, participants will receive standardised email prompts on
Intervention participants will receive 7 online modules, by email, on study enrollment. The modules, based on established principles of successful vocational rehabilitation, include 1 introductory module and 6 learning modules (see below). Each module has hyperlinks to activity worksheets and online resources. The modules are self-paced although should take no more than 20 minutes, each, to complete. To promote engagement with the resource, participants will receive standardised email prompts once weekly over the 4 week intervention period from a trained moderator (Clinical Psychologist, > 5 years experience). Participants will be asked how many, and which, modules they have completed at the second (4 week) assessment. Structure and content of online resource Module Topics covered 1 Introduction: Overview, including contact details for moderator 2 Job facts: Facts and figures about employment, benefits of work, managing work barriers 3 Finding work: Researching potential employers, study options, disability employment services in Australia, maintaining psychological health 4 &5 Interviewing skills: Determining ‘job-fit’, cover letter and resumes, interview preparation; answering difficult interview questions, asking interview questions, interview follow-up 6 Maintaining work: Managing symptoms in the workplace, managing the work environment 7 Career development: Maintaining and developing work skills, finding a mentor
Sponsors
University of Adelaide
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Community-dwelling adults with a spinal cord injury or disorder (acquired or congenital) or multiple sclerosis (MS), Eligible participants must be actively seeking employment and/or wanting to return to the workforce. Further requirements will be English fluency, sufficient computer/or basic literacy proficiency and access to a PC with an internet provider.
Exclusion criteria
Those who report significant cognitive concerns, are retired, or on disability support and not looking for employment are inelgibile
Outcome results
None listed