Employment and Arthritis: Making it Work

Not Applicable

Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Other Connective Tissue Diseases
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Spondylarthropathy
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Psoriatic Arthritis

Brief Summary: The investigators plan to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and the cost effectiveness of an on-line eLearning program (entitled Employment and Arthritis: Making it Work) designed to help people with inflammatory arthritis stay employed. The program also includes assessments with 1) an occupational therapist, and 2) a vocational rehabilitation counsellor at the end of the program to help participants identify and obtain necessary changes at work. People from three provinces will be recruited from collaborators' patient and program recipient lists. The study group will receive the program intervention and the control group will receive "usual care" and printed educational material. All participants will be followed for five years. The effectiveness of the program at improving at work productivity and reducing work cessation will be evaluated compared to a control group receiving printed material on employment and arthritis.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Between ages 18 and 59 years
Able to read and write English
Have inflammatory arthritis confirmed by a rheumatologist (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Psoriatic Arthritis, Other Connective Tissue Diseases and Spondylarthropathy)
Have access to a computer, a web-cam, a headset and a printer, or willingness to purchase these items
Are willing to travel to Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Cranbrook or Kamloops, Calgary, Toronto, Newmarket or Brampton for one visit with an occupational therapist

Exclusion Criteria

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Efficacy analysis of at work productivity	2 years post intervention	Primary outcome for efficacy analysis of at-work productivity will be measured using the Work Instability Scale (WIS)
Efficacy analysis of work cessation	Over 5 years of follow up	Primary outcome for efficacy analysis of work cessation is time to complete work cessation, defined as complete cessation of work due to any reason, for at least six months.
Cost effectiveness analysis of at work productivity	2 years post intervention	Primary outcome for cost effectiveness analysis of at work productivity will be measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Temporary work cessation	Up to 5 years	Time to temporary cessation of work for any reason (E.g. sick leave or temporary work disability and short periods of unemployment) for more than 2 months but less than 6 months
Occasional work absence	Up to 5 years	Number of days missed from work per year, measured by self report
Reduction in usual amount of time worked	Up to 5 years	Reduction in hours per week worked per year, measured by self report
Changes in employment risk factors	Up to 5 years	Changes from baseline in job satisfaction, self-efficacy at work, work-related risk factors for work disability (physical demand, job autonomy, difficulty commuting, self-employment and support from co-workers, employers and family), job accommodations and job type, measured by self report
At-work productivity	Up to 5 years	Evaluating maintenance of effect on at work productivity over 5 years using the Work Instability Scale (WIS)
At work productivity	Up to 5 years	New scale being developed and validated to measure at work productivity. Based on a combination of Workplace Activity Limitations Scale (WALS) and Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ).
Cost utility analysis of at work productivity	2 years post intervention	Outcome for cost utility analysis of at work productivity will be quality adjusted life year (QALY) measured using SF-6D.

Locations (1): Arthritis Research Centre
🇨🇦
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada