State vocational rehabilitation services and employment in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND

Obtaining and maintaining suitable employment can be a significant challenge for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to identify what vocational rehabilitation (VR) services helped MS clients obtain and maintain employment, after controlling for the effect of demographic covariates and disability-related government benefits.

METHODS

We retrieved data from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) 911 database in the fiscal year (FY) 2009, and used VR services as predictors to predict employment outcomes of people with MS by hierarchical logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 924 out of 1920 MS clients (48.1%) were successfully employed after receiving VR services. Logistic regression analysis results indicated that cash benefits (OR =0.51, p < 0.001) and public medical benefits (OR =0.76, p < 0.01) were negatively associated with employment outcomes, whereas counseling and guidance (OR = 1.68, p < 0.001), job placement assistance (OR = 2.43, p < 0.001), on-the-job supports (OR = 1.62, p < 0.01), maintenance services (OR = 1.59, p < 0.01), and assistive technology services (OR =2.09, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of positive employment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

VR services were found to be associated with employment status. MS patients experiencing problems obtaining or maintaining employment should be encouraged to pursue services from state VR agencies.