A multidisciplinary working model for promoting return to work of cancer survivors

Cohen, Miri; Yagil, Dana; Carel, Rafael S.

doi:10.1007/s00520-021-06074-3

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…From a societal perspective, the financial burden of cancer due to, for instance, productivity loss [7] necessitates that CSs who are able and wish to participate in work should be supported to do so. However, return to work (RTW) is a complex and multifaceted process that is influenced by, among others, disease and treatment-related, personal, occupational, and legislative factors [8][9][10]. Hence, CSs are 1.37 times more likely to be unemployed compared to healthy (non-cancer) control participants [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tailoring work participation support for cancer survivors using the stages of change: perspectives of (health care) professionals and survivors

et al. 2022

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Purpose Interventions to support work participation in cancer survivors (CSs) have shown limited effectiveness. Applying a behavioral change framework (e.g., stages of change) could make work participation interventions for CSs more timely and tailored. We aimed to explore the application of the stages of change framework to work participation support for CSs and to generate stage-specific intervention content. Methods Eighteen experts (e.g., occupational physicians, reintegration consultants) were individually interviewed, and three focus groups with CSs (n = 6, n = 5, n = 4) were conducted. Data were analyzed along the six work-related behavioral change stages purported by the readiness for return to work framework, which is based on the stages of change. Results The following themes were identified: (1) pre-contemplation: emotional support and staying connected—encourage contact with the employer/colleagues; (2) contemplation: considering return to work is stressful—facilitate the deliberation process; (3) preparation self-evaluative: assess current capabilities—seek guidance from, e.g., occupational physicians; (4) preparation behavioral: planning return to work—allow for personalized solutions and encourage supervised return to work; (5) uncertain maintenance: guard against overload—train self-efficacy strategies and communication tactics; and (6) proactive maintenance: accept and prepare for the long term. Conclusions Our results support the potential utility of tailoring CSs’ work participation support along the stages of change. Implications for Cancer Survivors We provided recommendations for intervention content and developed a stage-specific work participation intervention for CSs, the effectiveness of which will be evaluated in an upcoming randomized controlled trial.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tailoring work participation support for cancer survivors using the stages of change: perspectives of (health care) professionals and survivors

et al. 2022

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“…Lack of knowledge about cancer and its treatment and discomfort in talking about it has been reported in another qualitative study of employers and co-workers [ 12 ]. Likewise, a consensus-building study of cancer survivors and healthcare providers noted a need for training and education in employment support, as healthcare professionals have limited training in this topic [ 25 ]. Cancer survivors likewise have voiced a lack of information regarding how cancer affects employment and what they can do about it [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“The Last Thing You Have to Worry About”: A Thematic Analysis of Employment Challenges Faced by Cancer Survivors

Lyons

Forcino

Rotenberg

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The evidence base for interventions that support the employment goals of cancer survivors is growing but inconclusive. As the first step in initiating a community-engaged program of research aimed at developing and testing interventions to support the employment goals of cancer survivors, 23 cancer survivors, 17 healthcare providers, and 5 employers participated in individual interviews to elicit perceptions regarding local challenges and resources related to work maintenance and optimization within the context of cancer treatment. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify cross-cutting experiences that were voiced by all three types of participants. Three themes were found in the data: (1) the onus for identifying and articulating work-related issues is upon the cancer survivor; (2) the main support offered to cancer survivors involved time away from work and flexibility with scheduling work and treatment activities; and (3) participants voiced a lack of information regarding one or more aspects related to supporting employment goals of cancer survivors. Supportive resources designed for cancer survivors, employers, and/or healthcare providers are needed to help cancer survivors optimize their employment situations.

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“…A model of multidisciplinary collaboration has been proposed to facilitate the return of employees with cancer to work. 23,24,37 The "Multidisciplinary" team includes cancer survivors, return to work case managers, oncologists, psychologists, occupational physicians, occupational therapists or physiotherapists, social workers, and nurses. This model is ideal for an integrated, multidisciplinary medical approach; however, it is not feasible in Japan at this time.…”

Section: Content To Be Performed With the Permission Of The Individualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on Cancer Screening Promotion and Employment Support for Employees with Cancer at Business Establishments

et al. 2023

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Background Increasing cancer screening rates among working-age populations and providing employment support for employees with cancer are issues that need to be addressed in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the situation regarding cancer screening promotion and employment support for employees with cancer at business establishments and the support they seek from medical professionals regarding these issues. Methods This survey covered 1,058 business establishments and included the following items: attributes of the business establishments, cancer screening rate, support for employees to promote cancer screening, support sought by business establishments from medical professionals to promote cancer screening, presence of employees with cancer, support programs for employees with cancer, awareness of the resources available for employment support for employees with cancer, difficulties in supporting employees with cancer in the workplace, and support sought by business establishments from medical professionals in providing employment support for employees with cancer. Data analysis was primarily conducted using summary statistics. Results This study included 153 establishments. The median cancer screening rate ranged from 50.00 to 99.15. Employee support for promoting cancer screening ranged from approximately 30% to 40% for "ensuring time for screening" and from 20% to 30% for "providing full subsidies for cancer screening cost." The median screening rate for breast and cervical cancers was 50.00, and support for promoting screening was less than 30% for each. Business establishments sought support from medical professionals regarding cancer and study sessions on cancer prevention to promote cancer screening. Regarding support systems for employees with cancer, 49.7% of the establishments offered sickness benefits, and 42.5% offered paid leave on an hourly basis. Less than 10% were aware of the websites provided by public organizations regarding employment support for patients with cancer. Approximately 50% of the establishments reported difficulties regarding treatment policies and duration uncertainties. Conclusion Business establishments sought the provision of relevant knowledge and specific information to increase cancer screening rates and provide employment support for employees with cancer. Furthermore, this study suggests that employees with cancer need to manage the information they provide their establishments.

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A multidisciplinary working model for promoting return to work of cancer survivors

Cited by 10 publications

References 31 publications

Tailoring work participation support for cancer survivors using the stages of change: perspectives of (health care) professionals and survivors

Tailoring work participation support for cancer survivors using the stages of change: perspectives of (health care) professionals and survivors

“The Last Thing You Have to Worry About”: A Thematic Analysis of Employment Challenges Faced by Cancer Survivors

Research on Cancer Screening Promotion and Employment Support for Employees with Cancer at Business Establishments

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