Phillip D. Rumrill

Using scoping literature reviews as a means of understanding and interpreting existing literature

OBJECTIVE This article compares and contrasts scoping literature reviews with other established methods for understanding and interpreting extant research literature. METHODS Descriptions of the key principles and applications of scoping reviews are illustrated with examples from contemporary publications. CONCLUSIONS Scoping reviews are presented as an efficient way of identifying themes and trends in high-volume areas of scientific inquiry.

Predictors of Employment Status for People with Multiple Sclerosis.

This study examined the relevance of the disease-and-demographics model for explaining the employment outcomes of adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participating in a national survey of their employment concerns, 1,310 adults with MS provided data for the study (274 men, 21%; 1,020 women, 78%; 16 participants did not identify their gender). With an average age of 50 (SD = 12.14), most of the respondents were White (92%), well educated (97% were high school graduates, 40% were college graduates), and residing in urban and suburban areas (74%). Results from a backward stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis included the following variables as best predictors of employment status: educational attainment, severity of symptoms, persistence of symptoms, and presence of cognitive impairment/dysfunction (R 2 = .23). The article discusses the relationship of the findings to psychosocial and career development models in rehabilitation and to training, educational, accommodation planning, and cognitive interventions.

Determinants of Employment Status among People with Multiple Sclerosis.

This study identified factors predicting employment or lack thereof among adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data for the analysis were provided by 139 individuals with MS who were considered available for the workforce (i.e., were no older than 62 and did not declare themselves retired). Results from a backward, stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis included the following variables as the best predictors of employment: symptom persistence, severity of symptoms, educational attainment, and presence of cognitive limitations. The relevance of the findings for rehabilitation assessment and intervention strategies is discussed.

Workplace Discrimination Outcomes and Their Predictive Factors for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis.

Because employment is a significant predictor of the quality of life of people with disabilities (Rumrill, Roessler, & Fitzgerald, 2004; Viermo & Krause, 1998), discrimination in the workplace that interferes with successful job acquisition or retention is a serious matter. Unfortunately, this type of discrimination is all too prevalent. In a survey conducted by the National Organization on Disability (National Organization on Disability, 2004), one in five employed individuals with disabilities reported that they experienced discrimination in their efforts to work. This finding of one in five workers with disabilities translates into substantial numbers of Americans who do not have fair access to employment opportunities. For example, estimates based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau (Head & Baker, 2005) indicate that approximately 50 million Americans of workforce age have disabilities.

Improving career re-entry outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis: a comparison of two approaches

The article presents findings from a career re-entry project for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The effects of two job placement strategies on accommodation self-efficacy, employability maturity and employment status were compared. At a 16-week follow-up, 11 of the 37 participants (all of whom were unemployed at the inception of the project) had re-entered the labor force, an outcome that compares favorably with the 25% nationwide employment rate reported by people with MS.

Reducing Workplace Barriers to Enhance Job Satisfaction: An Important Post-Employment Service for Employees with Chronic Illnesses.

The article describes an empirical investigation of the factors associated with job satisfaction among employed people with chronic illnesses (n = 41). Results indicated that job satisfaction is a function of the number of job mastery and accessibility jperformance of essential function barriers occurring in the workplace. Hence, reduction of workplace barriers is an important post-employment service goal for employees with chronic illnesses. High priority post-employment services include (a) objective assessment of barriers to productivity in the workplace and (b) job accommodation and career counseling interventions to reduce or remove the barriers.

The relationship of self-management and disease modifying therapy use to employment status among adults with multiple sclerosis

Peoplewithmultiplesclerosis(MS)mayfacenumerousbarrierstoemploymentretention.Comprehensivelyunderstand- ing these barriers is important for implementing effective vocational rehabilitation interventions. Although several demographic and MS-related variables have consistently been found to be related to employment status, self-management and adherence to treatment have infrequently been evaluated in this context. This article explores the relationships between employment status and the use of disease-modifying therapy and self-management among a community-based sample of adults with MS using both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Group comparisons between employed and unemployed adults with MS suggested that both self-management and DMT use are significantly related to employment. In a stepwise binary logistic regression analysis, age, duration in years diagnosed with MS, and scores on a multi-dimensional MS self-management scale were positively related to employment. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for rehabilitation intervention.

Employment and workplace accommodation outcomes among participants in a vocational consultation service for people with multiple sclerosis

Unemployment is higher among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than would be expected and vocational rehabil- itation efforts to help people with MS retain or regain employment have been marginally successful. To better understand the role workplace accommodations may play in employment, 41 people with MS who had contacted the Kent State Employment Assistance Center between 10 and 15 years ago were telephoned as part of a program evaluation follow-up and asked about their experience with the accommodations and short term and long term employment outcomes. Sixty percent reported they were still working, and subjects reported that low cost, low impact accommodations were more likely to be provided. Further research was recommended.

The Relationship of Selected Supply-and Demand-Side Factors to Forms of Perceived Discrimination Among Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

Single-predictor and stepwise multinomial logistic regression analyses and an external validation were completed on 3,082 allegations of employment discrimination by adults with multiple sclerosis. Women filed two thirds of the allegations, and individuals between 31 and 50 made the vast majority of discrimination charges (73%). Allegations occurred most frequently in industries with the largest number of employees (501 or more). Results of the single-predictor multinomial logistic regression analyses identified gender and company size as the two predictors, findings that were mirrored in the main effects model developed through the stepwise multinomial logistic regression analyses. Women were more likely than men to allege discrimination related to harassment and intimidation rather than to discharge. Workers in the smallest companies were less likely than workers in the largest companies to allege discrimination regarding reasonable accommodation, working conditions, or employment benefits and more likely to allege discrimination related to discharge. Cross-validation results provided mixed support for the main effects model.

Job retention interventions for persons with multiple sclerosis

The paper reviews service initiatives designed to facilitate job retention for employees with multiple sclerosis (MS). The thesis is that worksite barriers must be removed via reasonable accommodations for persons with MS to continue working as the illness progresses. Key elements of barrier removal include (a) needs assessments, (b) civil rights information concerning Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (c) training on how to request reasonable accommodations from ones employer, and (d) consultation with employers.