Perceived barriers to and facilitators of labor market engagement for individuals with chronic physical illness in their experience with disability policy: a systematic review of qualitative evidence protocol

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE Two research questions will be addressed. These are, from the perspective of individuals with chronic physical illness: (1) what are the barriers in disability policies with respect to labor market engagement? (2) what are perceived facilitators in disability policies with respect to labor market engagement? The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence regarding barriers and facilitators that exist at the policy level with respect to labor market engagement (i.e. gaining and maintaining employment), from the perspective of individuals with chronic physical illness. INCLUSION CRITERIA Type of participants This review will consist of studies that include women and men who are of working age (typically 16 to 65 years), have one or more chronic physical illness, have experience with disability policy, and live in any community worldwide. The studies may involve only individuals with chronic physical illness or may include other individuals also, as long as data can be extracted on the individuals with chronic physical illness. The following definition of chronic physical illness will be used to identify studies conducted on the participants of interest: Chronic physical illness is any physical disease of “long duration and generally slow progression” which can be treated by health interventions but not cured and which can impair daily activities through disability and negatively impact quality of life. Among the most common chronic physical illnesses are cardiovascular disease (e.g. coronary artery disease), cerebrovascular disease (e.g. stroke), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS