Enabling University Teaching for Canadian Academics with Multiple Sclerosis through Problem-Focused Coping

Abstract

This brief report is intended to serve as a resource for occupational therapists and others wanting to gain a better understanding of the types of therapeutic interventions useful to those teaching in universities.

Exploring self-control of workers with a chronic condition: a qualitative synthesis

“…A number of studies listed various types of work accommodations (e.g., technological devices, working from home), which could help a worker with a chronic condition perform the job tasks while managing (or alleviating) symptoms and maintaining productivity (Bogenschutz et al, 2016;Bose, 2013;Burda et al, 2012;Codd et al, 2010;Holland & Collins, 2016;Lacaille et al, 2007;Osterholm et al, 2013;Restall et al, 2016;Sweetland et al, 2007;Zhao et al, 2017). Numerous studies showed that having job control opportunities such as working from home, starting later or alternating tasks all helped to manage fluctuations in symptoms, since work could be fitted to daily symptoms and more time was available for self-care (Bogenschutz et al, 2016;Crooks, Stone, & Owen, 2011;Dickson et al, 2008;Holland & Collins, 2016;Lacaille et al, 2007;Osterholm et al, 2013;Restall et al, 2016;Van der Meer et al, 2011).…”

“…However, studies pointed out that asking for support appeared to be difficult for some workers. Several studies showed important conditions for requesting support, which included accepting the need for support and pointing out specific needs (Bose, 2013;Burda et al, 2012;Crooks et al, 2011;Lacaille et al, 2007;Stanley et al, 2007). Condition unpredictability and symptom fluctuations made it even more difficult to ask for support.…”

“…This support helped to empower the worker and bolster their confidence (Burda et al, 2012;Stanley et al, 2007;Sweetland et al, 2007). Co-worker support appeared to be crucial for a worker who was adjusting to and managing their chronic condition at work and could consist of assuming some of their tasks (Bose, 2013;Burda et al, 2012;Codd et al, 2010;Crooks et al, 2011;Dickson et al, 2008;Osterholm et al, 2013;Van der Meer et al, 2011). Some studies showed that family and friends also help a worker to adjust to their chronic condition by performing household chores, and talking about the condition and the situation in the workplace (Codd et al, 2010;Osterholm et al, 2013;Stanley et al, 2007).…”

“…Several aspects ought to be considered before symptoms and limitations could be properly managed at work. First, studies showed that only after there is worker awareness and recognition of their symptoms and limitations due to their chronic condition (including boundaries) as a possible cause of work problems action could be taken, support sought and strategies developed (Bose, 2013;Burda et al, 2012;Crooks et al, 2011;Dickson et al, 2008;Lacaille et al, 2007;Osterholm et al, 2013;Sallis & Birkin, 2014;Van der Meer et al, 2011;Zhao et al, 2017). A worker's awareness of its symptoms and abilities also made it easier to accept the chronic condition and address the limitations (Osterholm et al, 2013;Van der Meer et al, 2011).…”

Coping and its importance for quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…Some of the studies dealing with the association between coping and HRQoL in MS patients have a significantly lower number of participants [10][11][12] or focused on women only [13]. Some of them use variables that are only partly responsible for overall HRQoL such as fatigue [14], coping in dyadic relationships [15] or focusing only on positive effect of problem-focused coping [16]. However, there is no study addressing all these three types of coping at once so this study tries to put another piece of the puzzle into the overall picture of this field of research.…”