Vocational rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis in the national health service of the United Kingdom: A realist evaluation

Abstract

The realist evaluation aimed to understand the mechanisms and context for implementing a VR intervention for people with MS in the NHS and develop an explanatory programme theory. We conducted a review of evidence followed by semi-structured interviews. A realist review about VR for people with MS in the NHS was conducted on six electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, and EMBASE) with secondary purposive searches. Included studies were assessed for relevance and rigour. Semi-structured interviews with people with MS, employers, and healthcare professionals, were conducted remotely. Data were extracted, analysed, and synthesised to refine the programme theory and produce a logic model.