Abstract
Purpose
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can negatively affect patients' work, education, family, and social and economic activities. Unemployment is a social problem leading to many negative consequences for patients with MS. Therefore, this study aimed to explore lived experiences of MS patients regarding their Return to Work (RTW).
Methods
This qualitative study was conducted in Urmia MS Association in Iran. Twelve patients with MS were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from July 2019 to March 2020 using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological approach suggested by Dickelman, Allen, and Tanner.
Results
Data analysis led to the development of four main themes of "interactive patterns," "supportive system," "challenges," and "stability/volatility." The theme of "interactive patterns" was supported by two sub-themes of " social interaction " and "Social stigma." Four sub-themes of "family support," "workplace support," "MS Association support," and "professional support" formed the theme of "supportive system." The theme of "challenges" was supported by two sub-themes of "individual problems" and "social constraints." The theme of "stability-volatility" was made up of two sub-themes of " adaptative and compatible behaviors " and " non-adaptive and incompatible behaviors."
Conclusion
Patients with MS encounter challenges that can have devastating mental, social, and financial health consequences. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals should provide patients with emotional and educational support to help them cope with a changed outlook on life. Employers and policymakers should take practical steps to maintain the employment of these patients for a more extended period to help them better manage their cost of living and treatment.
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Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Change history
13 May 2022
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03173-0
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Acknowledgements
The present study is derived from research project in nursing (record No. 8125). The authors wish to express their gratitude towards the Research and Education Department of the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Urmia University of Medical Sciences for their support and approval. The cooperative attitudes of the participants are highly appreciated.
Funding
This work was supported by Urmia University of Medical Sciences (Grant numbers 076).
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All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Conceptualization: Azam Shahbaz, Naser Parizad; Methodology: Azam Shahbaz, Naser Parizad; Formal analysis and investigation: Naser Parizad; Writing—original draft preparation: Azam Shahbaz, Naser Parizad; Writing—review and editing: Azam Shahbaz, Naser Parizad; Funding acquisition: Azam Shahbaz; Resources: Naser Parizad, Azam Shahbaz; Supervision: Naser Parizad.
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The research team received permission from the ethics committee to recruit patients with MS in the study, collect their information through interviews, and report the final result according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (Date: 05/15/2019/No: IR.UMSU.REC.1398.076).
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Shahbaz, A., Parizad, N. “It's like the snakes and ladders game.”; lived experience of patients with multiple sclerosis regarding their return to work: A qualitative study. Curr Psychol 42, 18255–18267 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03019-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03019-9