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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
528
A ten week on-line eLearning program designed to help people with inflammatory arthritis stay employed. The program consists of 1) 5 interactive web-based eLearning modules that participants will complete individually in between the weekly group sessions, 2) 5 weekly group sessions conducted as virtual real-time web-based group meetings led by a trained facilitator, 3) asynchronous communications such as a message board to facilitate additional interactions among participants, 4) consultations with an occupational therapist (in-person)for an ergonomic assessment, and a vocational rehabilitation counsellor (on-line consultation using web technology) for job retention vocational counselling.
Arthritis Research Centre
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Efficacy analysis of at work productivity
Primary outcome for efficacy analysis of at-work productivity will be measured using the Work Instability Scale (WIS)
Time frame: 2 years post intervention
Efficacy analysis of work cessation
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.
Time frame: Over 5 years of follow up
Cost effectiveness analysis of at work productivity
Primary outcome for cost effectiveness analysis of at work productivity will be measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)
Time frame: 2 years post intervention
Temporary work cessation
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
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Occasional work absence
Number of days missed from work per year, measured by self report
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Reduction in usual amount of time worked
Reduction in hours per week worked per year, measured by self report
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Changes in employment risk factors
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
Time frame: Up to 5 years
At-work productivity
Evaluating maintenance of effect on at work productivity over 5 years using the Work Instability Scale (WIS)
Time frame: Up to 5 years
At work productivity
Evaluating maintenance of effect on at work productivity over 5 years using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)
Time frame: Up to 5 years
At work productivity
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).
Time frame: Up to 5 years
Cost utility analysis of at work productivity
Outcome for cost utility analysis of at work productivity will be quality adjusted life year (QALY) measured using EQ-5D.
Time frame: 2 years post intervention
Cost utility analysis of at work productivity
Outcome for cost utility analysis of at work productivity will be quality adjusted life year (QALY) measured using SF-6D.
Time frame: 2 years post intervention
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