TY  - JOUR
AU  - Eberharter, Mona-Elisa
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/02/12
TI  - The Impact of Governmental and Workplace Measures on the Employment Sustainability of Chronically Ill Individuals
JO  - OBM Neurobiology
SP  - 324
VL  - 10
IS  - 01
AB  - Using a two-stage qualitative design (Stage 1: expert interviews; Stage 2: biographical interviews with people with MS), existing governmental and organizational support measures for maintaining the work capacity of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) were analyzed, and proposals for improvement were developed. Additional state support measures were proposed, including relaxing the criteria for state assistance, creating a centralized contact point for MS-specific inquiries, and enhancing collaboration between labour market services, healthcare providers (including occupational physicians/occupational health services), and employers. The study emphasized the need for higher investment in rehabilitation and training for specialized MS healthcare professionals. Regarding workplace support measures, respondents highlighted the importance of information and training to companies that employ individuals with MS, initiatives to combat work-related fatigue, structured return-to-work planning (e.g., reintegration agreements), and the necessity for workplace adjustments. Participants also described cross-cutting needs that are not fully covered by “classic” workplace measures, including stigma reduction, support for mental health, and guidance around disclosure of diagnosis. The proposed optimizations and enhancements, when combined with existing offerings, could reduce disease-specific absences and support the maintenance of work capacity among individuals with MS.
SN  - 2573-4407
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2601324
DO  - 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2601324
ID  - Eberharter2026
ER  -