“To have and then lose the safety net” –Female cancer survivors’ experiences of the process of becoming ready to return to work

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
K.S. Petersen ◽  
L.S. Anth Madsen ◽  
C.V. Nielsen ◽  
M. Labriola ◽  
C.M. Stapelfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Occupational Rehabilitation ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Female Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND: Validation studies have not been able to confirm the stage-specific understanding as operationalised in the readiness for return to work (RRTW) questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: To explore retrospectively how working female cancer survivors experienced the process of becoming ready to RTW during and beyond participation in an occupational rehabilitation intervention and thereby expand the understanding of the RRTW construct. METHODS: A qualitative research design was employed. Thirteen female cancer survivors were included for semi-structured interviews one to two years after they had completed active treatment and returned to work. The RRTW construct guided data generation and analysis. Content analysis was performed in four analytical steps that combined a concept-driven and a data-driven analytic strategy. RESULTS: Three themes were identified; “To have and then lose the safety net”, “Realise a changed life situation”, “Strive to balance work and everyday life”. In a time span of approximately one to two years (from receiving treatment, being enrolled in an intervention and to gradually returning to work); the identified themes were interdependent of each other as one theme gradually evolved to the next theme in the process of engaging in sustained work participation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study points towards continuous development of the RRTW construct and whether the addition of a preparedness dimension would improve validity.

scholarly journals Successful Return to Work for Cancer Survivors

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 290-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy M. Nachreiner ◽  
Rada K. Dagher ◽  
Patricia M. McGovern ◽  
Beth A. Baker ◽  
Bruce H. Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Female Cancer Survivors

This study investigated factors associated with successful return to work for cancer survivors in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A focus group was held with seven female cancer survivors. Participants discussed return-to-work issues following a cancer diagnosis. Factors such as coworker support and job flexibility improved their experiences, whereas coworker and supervisor ignorance about cancer and lack of support made returning to work more stressful. Participants discussed personal, environmental, and cancer-related factors that influenced their experiences with returning to work following a cancer diagnosis. Knowledge of factors that support employees helps occupational health nurses ease their transition, and may improve quality of life for employees. Physicians and health care provider teams may play a critical role in the employees' positive evaluation of their recovery process. This pilot study serves as a basis for a larger, population-based study.

scholarly journals Breast cancer patients’ return to work (B-CARE): protocol of a longitudinal mixed-methods study aiming to explore medical and occupational rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer in Germany

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e033533
Author(s):  
Kati Hiltrop ◽  
Paula Heidkamp ◽  
Christoph Kowalski ◽  
Nicole Ernstmann
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Occupational Rehabilitation ◽  
Medical Rehabilitation ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Pension Insurance ◽  
Care Protocol

IntroductionIn recent years, research has been done on determinants of return to work (RTW) in cancer survivors and their long-term work outcomes. Nevertheless, little is known about the survivors’ evaluation of these outcomes in terms of job satisfaction and voluntariness. Hence, B-CARE aims at filling the research gap by providing a longitudinal cohort study investigating medical and occupational rehabilitation including an evaluation by breast cancer survivors.Methods and analysisA mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey with qualitative semi-structured interviews, is used to study breast cancer survivors 5–6 years after diagnosis. These data will be linked to data from prior waves of patients during hospitalisation and 10 and 40 weeks after hospital discharge as well as routine data from the German Statutory Pension Insurance Scheme and German Cancer Society if available. The actual survey focuses on determinants of medical rehabilitation use, RTW, subsequent employment patterns post care as well as the voluntariness of and satisfaction with job changes.Ethics and disseminationA positive vote from the ethics committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn has been obtained. Data protection regulations will be adhered to for all handled data. Personal identifiers of participants will be pseudonymised. Dissemination strategies include a workshop to discuss results among stakeholders such as representatives of the German Statutory Pension Insurance Scheme, social workers and self-help groups.Trial registration numberGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00016982); Pre-results.

scholarly journals Return to Work of Breast Cancer Survivors: Perspectives and Challenges for Occupational Physicians

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Campagna ◽  
Roberto Loscerbo ◽  
Ilaria Pilia ◽  
Federico Meloni
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Incidence ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Occupational Physicians ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases worldwide, mainly affecting the female gender. Considering the increase of breast cancer incidence and the decrease of mortality due to news diagnostic and therapeutic tools, the return to work issue after treatment is going to be very common in the next years. Occupational physicians therefore need to face the return to work and the fitness for work of workers previously diagnosed with breast cancer with a sufficient cultural and technical background. In addition to individual characteristics preceding the diagnosis, clinical outcome, lifestyles and occupational variables are the most impactful factors on return to work that need to be taken into account. The aim of this work is to analyze these factors and discuss the central role of occupational physicians in the decision-making process of returning to work in breast cancer survivors.

The nature of positive encounters between disabled workers and insurers in the return to work process

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-300
Author(s):  
Jarna Pasanen
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Occupational Rehabilitation ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Rehabilitation Process ◽  
Rehabilitation Outcomes ◽  
Support Methods ◽  
Disabled Workers

BACKGROUND: Previous research regarding interaction between disabled workers and insurers indicates that encounters between these parties are predominantly negative in nature and may result in psychosocial harm for workers. Further research is required to investigate positive interactions to foster return to work after illness or injury. OBJECTIVE: To explore and conceptualize perceived positive encounters between disabled workers and insurers in order to identify the mechanisms that support successful rehabilitation outcomes. METHODS: This qualitative study explored the experiences of twenty-four disabled workers who had undergone an occupational rehabilitation process. Data were collected with in-depth semi-structured interviews, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes arose from the 24 key concepts relating to the positive encounters: (1) process flow, (2) customer orientation, (3) information and guidance, and (4) service attitude. The results also reveal that perceived positive encounters promote the return to work not only directly, but also indirectly by improving the informants’ motivation, which has previously been found to be one of the most significant factors explaining the outcomes of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The positive relationship between disabled workers and insurers during an occupational rehabilitation could be better understood through a conceptualization of perceived positive encounters. Underlining the importance of positive encounters and their ability to improve the rehabilitee’s motivation may contribute to better support methods for the return to work.

scholarly journals A social-healthcare pathway to facilitate return to work of cancer survivors in Italy: The UNAMANO project

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Sara Paltrinieri ◽  
Elena Ricchi ◽  
Elisa Mazzini ◽  
Elena Cervi ◽  
Elisa Sandri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Occupational Rehabilitation ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Local Branch ◽  
Training Institutions ◽  
Nonprofit Associations ◽  
Personalized Intervention

BACKGROUND: Return to work (RTW) is a major goal to promote cancer survivors’ social participation. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the multidisciplinary social-healthcare pathway called UNAMANO, conceived to support RTW in this population. METHODS: UNAMANO was developed by the Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, in partnership with the local branch of the Italian Medical Association, nonprofit associations, vocational training institutions, social cooperatives, a labour union, and a chartered accounting firm. RESULTS: UNAMANO is directed towards employed individuals diagnosed with cancer living in the province of RE. It was developed through four actions: A) training healthcare professionals on work-related occupational rehabilitation; B) dissemination among community and stakeholders; C) recruitment and training of volunteers; D) cancer survivor engagement and provision of a personalized comprehensive intervention. This consists in providing information and either occupational therapy to overcome barriers and facilitate RTW or social support through re-training and tailored job search strategies based on individual risk of job loss. CONCLUSIONS: UNAMANO is the first Italian multidisciplinary social-healthcare pathway supporting RTW of cancer survivors. Addressing a wide area of cancer survivors’ needs, it provides personalized intervention to resolve work-related issues. We propose this patient-centred RTW model to promote an easier transition from hospital to community.

scholarly journals Experiences of Female Breast Cancer Survivors Concerning Their Return to Work in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Francisco Aguiar-Fernández ◽  
Yolanda Rodríguez-Castro ◽  
Mercedes Botija ◽  
Rosana Martínez-Román
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Female Breast Cancer ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Female Breast ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Age Range

The objective of this study was to analyze the experiences of returning to work of women who had overcome breast cancer, identifying its physical and psychological consequences, the process they underwent, their motivations, and difficulties. A total of 19 female breast cancer survivors, with an age range of 30 to 57 years, participated in two focus groups. A semi-structured script was prepared about their experiences of returning to work. The results indicated that survivors’ self-perception was weakened by the physical and psychological consequences of the treatment of the disease; economic difficulties were one of the main reasons for going back to work; lastly, returning to work was a difficult process, mainly because of their physical/psychological limitations, the scarcity of job adaptation measures, and the limited support of the various public administrations. In addition, most of the women had to cope with seeking a new job without any guidance or job training. Significant difficulties related to the maintenance and return to work of female breast cancer survivors have been revealed. Findings highlighted the need to provide more and better information and guidance to cancer patients concerning their return to work or the search for a new job.

A Social-Healthcare Pathway to Facilitate Return to Work of Cancer Survivors in Italy: Implementation Process of the UNAMANO project

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Paltrinieri ◽  
Elena Ricchi ◽  
Elisa Mazzini ◽  
Elena Cervi ◽  
Stefania Fugazzaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Occupational Rehabilitation ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Local Branch ◽  
Nonprofit Associations

Abstract Purpose Return to work (RTW) is a major goal to promote cancer survivors’ social participation. A multidisciplinary social-healthcare pathway called UNAMANO was designed to support RTW in this population. Methods UNAMANO was developed by the Azienda USL – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia (RE), in partnership with the local branch of the Italian Medical Association, nonprofit associations, vocational training institutions, social cooperatives, a labour union, and a chartered accounting firm. Results UNAMANO is directed towards employed individuals diagnosed with cancer living in the Province of RE. It has been implemented through four actions: A) healthcare professionals training on work-related occupational rehabilitation; B) dissemination among community and stakeholders; C) recruitment and training of volunteers; D) cancer survivor engagement and provision of a personalized comprehensive intervention. This consists in providing information and occupational therapy to overcome barriers and facilitate RTW or social support through re-training and tailored job search strategies for individuals based on their risk of job loss. Conclusions UNAMANO is the first Italian multidisciplinary social-healthcare pathway supporting RTW of cancer survivors. Addressing a wide area of cancer survivors’ needs, it provides personalized intervention to resolve work-related issues. We propose this patient-centred RTW model to promote an easier transition from hospital to community.Implications for cancer survivors UNAMANO can positively impact on cancer survivors’ health and well-being and can be provided at any stage of disease and treatment. UNAMANO ensures that RTW is coherent with cancer survivors’ health condition and expectations.

Managing employment among pre-retirement aged cancer survivors

2020 ◽  
pp. 030802262095837
Author(s):  
Elizabeth G Hunter ◽  
Graham D Rowles
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Paid Employment ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Worker Identity ◽  
After Cancer

Introduction Successfully maintaining (managing) paid employment can be a challenge as people negotiate the cancer care pathway and survivorship. Little research explores the influence of age on this situation. The purpose of this project was to explore the role of age in managing employment for survivors from age 45 to 64 years. Method A qualitative descriptive design was conducted to explore the intersection of age and managing employment for cancer survivors. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 United States cancer survivors (lung, breast, colorectal). Interviews were conducted in person or by phone. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Codes were grouped by categories, incorporated into separate topical files, and then aggregated into broader emergent themes. Findings Survivors are not just “returning” to work after treatment. They are often managing work both during and after treatment. Age may have benefits but can also provide barriers to positive survivorship and employment experiences. Fulfilling the role of employee and maintaining a worker identity was a strong driver for many participants. Again, this was potentially both a support and a barrier. It was discovered that health care providers provided little support to facilitate employment. Conclusion Age is a factor that is poorly understood but influences both health and personal aspects of the experience of managing paid employment during and after cancer treatment. Occupational therapy practitioners should acknowledge this important role in addressing cancer survivorship.

scholarly journals Recurrent sick leave and resignation rates among female cancer survivors after return to work: the Japan sickness absence and return to work (J-SAR) study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoki Endo ◽  
Yasuo Haruyama ◽  
Go Muto ◽  
Yuya Imai ◽  
Kiyomi Mitsui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Cancer Site ◽  
Japanese Cohort ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Japanese Employees ◽  
Sar Study ◽  
Female Cancer Survivors

Abstract Background To date, there have not been any workforce-based Japanese cohort studies investigating work sustainability after return to work (RTW). The objective of this study was to investigate the post-RTW cumulative recurrent sick leave rate and cumulative resignation rate among female cancer survivors. Methods Among Japanese employees who were registered in the Japan sickness absence and return to work (J-SAR) study, the subjects were those female employees who returned to work after sick leave due to newly clinically diagnosed cancer (C01-C99; ICD-10), based on a physician’s certificate, between 2000 and 2011. The last day of the follow-up period was December 31, 2012. The recurrent sickness leave rate and resignation rate were calculated using competing risk survival analysis. Results Of 223 cancer survivors, 61 took further physician-certified sick leave after their RTW. The median duration of the post-RTW work period among all cancer survivors was 10.6 years. The work continuance rates of the female cancer survivors were 83.2 and 60.4% at 1 and 5 years after they returned to work, respectively. There was a steep reduction in the work continuance rate during the first post-RTW year. There were considerable differences in the work continuance rate according to the primary cancer site. Cumulative recurrent sick leave rates of 11.8 and 28.9% were seen at 1 and 5 years after the subjects returned to work. The cumulative resignation rate was 5.0 and 10.7% at 1 and 5 years after the subjects returned to work. Most recurrent sick leave occurred in the first year after the subjects returned to work, followed by the second year. Conclusions Sixty percent of female cancer survivors were still working at 5 years after returning to work, although the work continuance rates for different types of cancer varied significantly.

scholarly journals The Fact of Return to Work in Cervical Cancer Survivors and the Impact of Survival Rate: An 11-Year Follow-Up Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10703
Author(s):  
Yu-Shan Sun ◽  
Wei-Liang Chen ◽  
Wei-Te Wu ◽  
Chung-Ching Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard Models ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
The Impact

The aim of the current cohort study was to explore the relationship between return to work (RTW) after cervical cancer treatment and different medical and occupational covariates. We also investigated the effect of RTW on all-cause mortality and survival outcomes of cervical cancer survivors. Data were collected between 2004 and 2015 from the database of the Taiwan Cancer Registry, Labor Insurance Database, and National Health Insurance Research Database. The associations between independent variables and RTW were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models. A total of 4945 workers (82.3%) who returned to work within 5 years after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Patients who underwent surgical treatment were more likely to RTW by the 5th year compared to other groups, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01~1.44). Small company size and a monthly income greater than NT 38,200 were inversely associated with RTW (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84~0.98 and HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.44~0.53). Furthermore, RTW showed a statistically significant decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality in the fully adjusted HR, (HR = 0.42, p < 0.001). Some medical and occupational factors are associated with RTW in cervical cancer survivors. Returning to work may have a beneficial effect on the survival of patients with cervical cancer.

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