MS JobSeek: harnessing peer support to help job-seekers with multiple sclerosis find employment.

INTERVENTION: The primary intervention will involve an online discussion forum monitored by peers with multiple sclerosis and overseen by a health psychologist. Participants will be required to login with a password to the discussion forum at least once per week for at least 5 minutes, over a 2‐month period. They are not required to log in at the same time. The first time they log in they will be encouraged to introduce themselves to the discussion (community) forum. Peer mentors (volunteers with MS who are currently employed) will post questions or topics of interest to the group, including examples from their own work experiences, in order to stimulate discussion. Both the moderator (health psychologist) and mentors will answer discussion threads. The moderator will also view forum activity and email those participants who fail to login for more than 1 week, encouraging them to join the discussion. In addition, intervention participants will be emailed a 7‐module written information resource on enrollment (see list of modules, below). This resource, purposely developed and pilot tested by our team, covers basic job searching and career planning skills (see below). Each module includes hyperlinks to online resources (e.g. writing a resume, relevant government legislation and job search engines) which participants can access at their discretion. The modules are self‐paced although should take no more than 20 minutes, each, to complete. Module Topics covered: 1 Introduction: Overview, including contact details for moderator 2 Job facts: Facts about employment, benefits of work, managing work barriers 3 Finding work: Researching potential employers, study options, disability employment services in Australia, maintaining psychological health 4 &5 Interviewing skills: Determining ‘job‐fit’, cover letter and resumes, interview preparation; answering difficult interview questions, asking interview questions, interview follow‐up 6 Maintain CONDITION: Multiple Sclerosis; ; Multiple Sclerosis Neurological ‐ Multiple sclerosis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Job Search Behavior Scale[On enrolment and 2 months thereafter] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Job Search Self‐efficacy Scale[On enrolment and 2‐months thereafter] Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health scale (PROMIS Global)[On enrolment and 2 months thereafter] Self‐reported employment status based on a study‐specific questionnaire (i.e. single item with 6 response options: full‐, part‐time, casual work, unpaid work (volunteering), not working but available to take up employment, other)[On enrolment and 2 months thereafter] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Eligibility criteria include adults of working age with relapsing‐remitting or progressive forms of multiple sclerosis who are currently unemployed and want to return to the workforce, residing in Australia, with English fluency and access to a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet connection.