None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The current project builds on preliminary work conducted by our multidisciplinary team in conjunction with our community partner, the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of South Australia (PQSA). This pilot work involved developing a written information resource, titled 'Work and SCI', for job-seekers with a traumatic spinal cord injury or spinal disorder (SCI/D). Co-created by a multi-disciplinary team including psychology, social work, occupational therapy, nursing and medicine, this purposely designed 6 module resource covers essential job-search and career planning skills (e.g. job interviewing, job maintenance, career development). Our preliminary findings indicated that 'Work and SCI' has significant potential benefits as an educational resource, but that more needs to be done in order to translate these benefits into behavioural changes (i.e. successful employment outcomes). One critical way to improve engagement is to supplement this self-directed learning with personalised vocational guidance and job coaching. In response to this need, PQSA, the peak community body for South Australians living with SCI/D, has developed an outreach allied health service. They are extending this service to include vocational counselling targeted to the needs of their members. PQSA has approached the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide to assist with the setup and preliminary evaluation of this service.
Interventions
Intervention participants will receive assessment and coaching by a certified vocational counsellor for 8 weeks. Sessions will target participants' knowledge of, and ability to engage in, job search activities. The delivery and format of sessions will be tailored to participant need and preference but will likely involve up to 60 minutes of individual counselling delivered in-person or via telephone, email and/or videochat (i.e. secure online meetings accessible by password) on a regular (e.g. f
Intervention participants will receive assessment and coaching by a certified vocational counsellor for 8 weeks. Sessions will target participants' knowledge of, and ability to engage in, job search activities. The delivery and format of sessions will be tailored to participant need and preference but will likely involve up to 60 minutes of individual counselling delivered in-person or via telephone, email and/or videochat (i.e. secure online meetings accessible by password) on a regular (e.g. fortnightly) basis. In addition, all participants (intervention and control) will have access to a 6-module written educational resource titled ‘Work and SCI’ previously developed and tested by our team. The ‘Work and SCI’ modules will be emailed to participants following enrolment. Modules 1–3 relate to the job-seeking process (e.g. reviewing/recognising one’s vocational skills/interests, knowledge of the labour market. Modules 4–5 relate to job interviewing (e.g. resume writing, interviewing skills). Module 6 focuses on career development and coping with work issues in relation to SCI. Each module contains informative webpages and interactive materials. The modules were designed to be brief, with each taking no more than 15-20 minutes to complete. The modules are self-directed and can be completed at the individual's own pace. Session attendance and duration with the vocational counsellor will be recorded, with reminder emails/text messages provided to participants (as required). Sample attrition rate (no. of participants who withdraw from the study) will also be recorded. All participants will be asked to indicate which of the 6 written 'Work and SCI' modules they accessed during the study.
Sponsors
The Parapegic and Quadriplegic Association of SA (PQSA)
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 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adults of working age residing in Australia with a traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury or disorder who are currently unemployed, of working age (<65 years) and want to return to the workforce, with English fluency and access to a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet connection are eligible.
Exclusion criteria
The criteria for exclusion will include those who are medically retired, given the focus is on individuals who have the capacity to work. It is anticipated that people with major cognitive impairments will self-exclude as they are unlikely to access, or benefit from, the study materials.
Outcome results
None listed