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Vocational situation and experiences from the work environment among individuals with neuromuscular diseases

Lexell, Eva M. LU orcid ; Langdell, I and Lexell, J. LU (2017) In Work 56(4). p.519-530
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) can affect the ability to be employed and to work, but there is limited knowledge of individuals' own perspectives of factors that are important for their vocational situation. OBJECTIVE: To explore the vocational situation among people with NMD that are employed, and to describe their experiences of how their disability, personal and environmental factors influence their ability to continue to work. METHODS: Nine participants with different NMD were included. A mixed-methods design was used, and data were collected by means of semi-structured and open-ended interviews, and ratings of aspects supporting or interfering with their work performance and the ability to continue to work. Data were... (More)

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) can affect the ability to be employed and to work, but there is limited knowledge of individuals' own perspectives of factors that are important for their vocational situation. OBJECTIVE: To explore the vocational situation among people with NMD that are employed, and to describe their experiences of how their disability, personal and environmental factors influence their ability to continue to work. METHODS: Nine participants with different NMD were included. A mixed-methods design was used, and data were collected by means of semi-structured and open-ended interviews, and ratings of aspects supporting or interfering with their work performance and the ability to continue to work. Data were analyzed with directed content analysis based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The participants' personal characteristics, support from others at work and at home, and a flexible work organization were perceived as important factors facilitating work continuation, whereas physically demanding work assignments and factors in the physical environment were perceived as barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of how personal characteristics as well as support from the work organization, managers and family members can facilitate the ability to work is important for employers, staff within different parts of the health care system, and the social security system. Future research should focus on interventions that are best suited to enhance the vocational situation for individuals with NMD.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Disability and Health, hereditary sensory and motor neuropathy, International Classification of Functioning, muscular dystrophies, work, work performance, workplace
in
Work
volume
56
issue
4
pages
12 pages
publisher
IOS Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:85018987570
  • pmid:28409766
  • wos:000400594700004
ISSN
1051-9815
DOI
10.3233/WOR-172527
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
fdc713dd-c79c-4202-af17-30899f8b9deb
date added to LUP
2017-06-01 09:50:19
date last changed
2025-01-07 14:31:06
@article{fdc713dd-c79c-4202-af17-30899f8b9deb,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) can affect the ability to be employed and to work, but there is limited knowledge of individuals' own perspectives of factors that are important for their vocational situation. OBJECTIVE: To explore the vocational situation among people with NMD that are employed, and to describe their experiences of how their disability, personal and environmental factors influence their ability to continue to work. METHODS: Nine participants with different NMD were included. A mixed-methods design was used, and data were collected by means of semi-structured and open-ended interviews, and ratings of aspects supporting or interfering with their work performance and the ability to continue to work. Data were analyzed with directed content analysis based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The participants' personal characteristics, support from others at work and at home, and a flexible work organization were perceived as important factors facilitating work continuation, whereas physically demanding work assignments and factors in the physical environment were perceived as barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of how personal characteristics as well as support from the work organization, managers and family members can facilitate the ability to work is important for employers, staff within different parts of the health care system, and the social security system. Future research should focus on interventions that are best suited to enhance the vocational situation for individuals with NMD.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lexell, Eva M. and Langdell, I and Lexell, J.}},
  issn         = {{1051-9815}},
  keywords     = {{Disability and Health; hereditary sensory and motor neuropathy; International Classification of Functioning; muscular dystrophies; work; work performance; workplace}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{519--530}},
  publisher    = {{IOS Press}},
  series       = {{Work}},
  title        = {{Vocational situation and experiences from the work environment among individuals with neuromuscular diseases}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-172527}},
  doi          = {{10.3233/WOR-172527}},
  volume       = {{56}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}