Employment experiences of adults living with SCD and having RCE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Employment experiences of adults living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and having red cell exchange (RCE) transfusions
IRAS ID
169578
Contact name
Christos Zouzias
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 18 days
Research summary
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic disease associated with high degrees of morbidity and dd. Of the many described variants of haemoglobin production and structure, this condition presents problems which are likely to be encountered by prospective employers and occupational physicians. Adults living with SCD have extremely high rates of unemployment; however, very little is known about factors that contribute to their vocational outcomes. We will therefore conduct anonymous interviews confidentially to look at the employment experiences of adults with SCD who are having red cell exchange. The study will involve the Chief Investigator meeting patients at the Haematology Unit during their treatment appointment for transfusion. Once consent obtained, the interview will be conducted by the Chief Investigator while the participants are having the transfusion. The interview will be recorded, and notes will be taken to ensure accuracies. The Chief Investigator will be asking these patients questions about themselves regarding their employment experiences, perceptions of barriers and motives to work, any problems or poor treatment that they may have faced because of their condition and any support they might have received from their employers/colleagues. The information obtained will assess the employment experiences of this subgroup of patients, their perceptions of the barriers and motives to work and any concerns that they may have about the current employment services offered. The results will help to better understand the barriers and obstacles encountered in the workplace by sickle cell patients requiring transfusions. We believe that these obstacles can be complex and, with the participants’ help, we therefore hope to gain better insight into the problems, so that their ideas about how to overcome these barriers can be provided to both employers and adults. This will subsequently enable us to improve occupational health services in the future, plan future services, and advise potential employers of adjustments at work.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
15/WA/0123
Date of REC Opinion
30 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion