Affiliations: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Mary Pack
Arthritis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada | Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Vancouver, BC,
Canada | Division of Rheumatology, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Paul Adam, Vancouver Coastal Health
Authority, Mary Pack Arthritis Program, 895 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC,
V5Z 1L7, Canada. Tel.: +1 604 875 4111; Fax: +1 604 875 4321; E-mail:
Paul.Adam@vch.ca
Abstract: This qualitative analysis identifies factors that individuals with
arthritis should take into consideration prior to pursuing self-employment
(SE). Subjects were recruited from a database of all patients who had used the
services of a provincial, out-patient arthritis treatment program between
January 1999 and December 2000. Letters screening for SE experience were sent
to 4414 individuals. Of the 1695 (38% individuals who responded, 442 (26%
reported current or previous SE experience and 247/442 (56%) agreed to
participate and completed a mailed survey. Three open-ended questions asked
respondents what advice they would give to someone with arthritis who was
considering SE, and to provide their general thoughts on SE as an option for
people with arthritis. Respondents provided a range of practical advice on
determining the suitability of SE, choosing the type of SE in which to become
engaged, and potential strategies for success. Advice for improving the chance
of business success included the importance of formal and informal support,
self care, maintaining close contact with one's medical team, pacing, and
finally, planning the business.
Keywords: Arthritis, self-employment, qualitative research
