PARE0014 Getting the pulse on workplace experiences and accommodations
Authors: L. Proulx, L. Proulx, N. Robertson, D.P. Richards, L. Wilhelm, J. Gunderson, A. Sirois, A. McKinnon
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> As a patient-driven and managed non-profit organization, the Board members of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) have experienced many of the workplace challenges of arthritis first-hand. Recognizing the importance of being able to contribute in the workplace, CAPA recently initiated a project focused on broadening the understanding of the challenges faced by people living with arthritis in the workplace; and, to develop workplace tools and appropriate advocacy activities to address these challenges. <h3>Objectives</h3> A survey concerning arthritis in the workplace was developed with the goal of enhancing the understanding of the workplace challenges faced by people with arthritis, including the type and effectiveness of personal and workplace accommodations and the effectiveness of available resources. <h3>Methods</h3> A Board member/project manager developed the survey in consultation with people living with arthritis. The survey was available in English and French and targeted to people who live with various forms of arthritis, including inflammatory arthritis as well as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, osteoarthritis, etc. The survey was distributed to membership in December 2017 through the newsletter and social media channels. Further promotion of the survey was completed through outreach to French and English patient and non-profit groups . The results were collected online through a survey platform and analyzed using basic statistical techniques. <h3>Results</h3> At the date of submission, 218 survey responses were received (127 English responses, 91 French responses) and the majority of respondents(over 90%) live in Canada. Over 80% of respondents live with inflammatory arthritis and 86% reported that arthritis affected them moderately or significantly in the workplace. Although 49% of respondents indicated that working had a positive effect on their lives, 66% indicated that working took energy away from other life activities. The most highly helpful workplace accommodations were: flexible hours of work (58%), breaks to give joints/body time to recover (55%), paid time away from work to attend medical appointments (47%), and working from home one or more days per week (39%). The most highly used personal accommodations were: reduction of social activities (77%), pacing during the work day (70%) and spreading out non-work activities (64%). The survey responses will be further summarized for the presentation, along with ideas for development of resources based on the gaps identified. <h3>Conclusions</h3> CAPA developed a workplace survey to broaden the understanding of the challenges faced by people living with arthritis in the workplace. Early analysis of the survey indicates a number of implications such as the significant impact of arthritis on the workplace and the impact on other life activities. CAPA will develop appropriate workplace tools and plan advocacy activities in order to address the survey findings. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> CAPA would like to thank the organizations that collaborate with us as well as various pharmaceutical companies whose funding enables our operation. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> L. Proulx Grant/research support from: CAPA receives unrestricted grants from a variety of pharmaceutical companies, Speakers bureau: provided ad hoc speaking to Sanofi Genzyme, L. Proulx: None declared, N. Robertson: None declared, D. P. Richards: None declared, L. Wilhelm: None declared, J. Gunderson: None declared, A. Sirois: None declared, A. McKinnon: None declared