Sustain-WORK-ability 

People living with arthritis have a significant impact on their work participation and temporary or permanent work loss is common. Work-focused occupational therapy interventions have the potential to enable individuals with arthritis to sustain employment; however, current provision remains heterogeneous.  Variability in vocational rehabilitation pathways, assessment practices, and intervention approaches has limited the development of clear, evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice. The need for evidence-based interventions to support work participation is recognised and recommended as a priority in the Irish Rheumatology model of care. Use of digital health technology is growing in healthcare as a mode of delivery particularly since the pandemic, providing new opportunities for innovative models of care delivery. Digital interventions offer potential benefits to the person and the health service by facilitating timely access to support and reducing time absent from work.

The overall aim of this research programme is to contribute to the knowledge base by designing and testing a digital work intervention for individuals with arthritis using a sequential mixed methods approach along the MRC framework

Funders

Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland

Research Team

Dr. Yvonne Codd, Susan Somerville (Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholar 2025-2029), Dr. Christina MT Madsen, (University of Southern Denmark)

**Study Update**

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS - We are currently recruiting health professionals working in the area of rheumatology to explore the impact of arthritis on a person’s work roles and whether a digital health intervention could support them. 

Sustain-WORK-ability: Health Professionals Focus Group Expression of Interest Form  – Fill in form

For a detailed information leaflet please click this link: Health Professionals PiL for Sustain-WORK-ability Study

EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES - We are also recruiting employer representatives of people with arthritis to explore the impact of arthritis on a person’s work roles and whether a digital health intervention could support them. 

To take part, please register your details here: Sustain-WORK-ability: Employer Representatives Focus Group Expression of Interest Form  – Fill in form

For a detailed information leaflet please click this link: Employers PIL for Sustain-WORK-Ability Study