A return-to-work intervention protocol directed at cancer patients (self-assessment, tailored information & lifestyle management for returning to work among cancer patients, START): A multi-center, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose This study describes the protocol for the design and evaluation of a self-assessment based educational program supporting cancer patients’ return-to-work (RTW), prior to its complete and ongoing implementation. Methods We designed a multi-center, randomized controlled trial with three follow-up points. The study population (N = 239) includes recently diagnosed cancer patients who plan to receive active treatment at two university hospitals in Korea. A pre-test is conducted at the point of enrollment for both groups. The intervention group receives a leaflet clarifying misconceptions about RTW and is shown a video clip of patient interviews concerning RTW. The control group receives a booklet about cancer and nutrition, and is not provided with further intervention. After active treatment, the intervention group receives a one-time, face-to-face education session with an oncology nurse. Following the education session, both groups receive three follow-up phone calls. The first follow-up call occurs at the end of intervention and at the end of active treatment for intervention and control groups, respectively. The next two follow-up calls will be conducted one month and a year following the post-test. The primary outcome is whether the patient has RTW or has plans to RTW, and the secondary outcome is knowledge of RTW. Results As of April 2020, 239 patients have been enrolled in the trial. Statistical analyses will be conducted upon trial completion in December 2020. Discussion We hypothesize that the provision of RTW education near diagnosis will not only enhance patients’ intentions to RTW, but also effectively encourage them to RTW.

Income Change One Year after Confirmed Cancer Diagnosis and Its Associated Factors in Japanese Patients

“…We asked each respondent about the factors affecting RTW [ 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]: sex, age of onset, stage of cancer, treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, and pharmacotherapy), number of years since the diagnosis, support from family and friends, consultation with others, use of peer support, employment status at diagnosis, informing the workplace that you have cancer, support from the workplace, provision of information on continued employment via the medical staff, and continued employment. In the current study, a leave of absence was treated as a continuation of employment in the same workplace.…”

“…With regard to employment support, the problem is that, in many cases, a decrease in income after cancer diagnosis has been observed [ 9 , 10 ]. Although studies on the change of income among cancer survivors exist, such as observational studies related to breast cancer, the magnitude of the income change has not been fully investigated [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In addition, the factors that influence the change have not been completely reported.…”

Effectiveness of Self-Assessment, TAilored Information, and Lifestyle Management for Cancer Patients’ Returning to Work (START): A Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Thereafter, patients received three weekly individual telephone counseling sessions conducted by the same nurse. Detailed contents of each component are described in our protocol [19].…”

“…For the long-term effect, although it was statistically insignificant, patients in the START group were more likely to be working at 12 months after the intervention (START: 80.8% vs. control: 75.7%, p=0. 19). Despite the lack of statistical power to detect difference between the two groups, both intervention and control of RTW percentage showed to be relatively high in comparison to the RTW percentage at 1 year after intervention.…”

Exploration of interventions to enhance return-to-work for cancer patients: A scoping review

“…Three randomized controlled trials, 25,26,32 one controlled study, 30 two feasibility study, 28,35 one pilot study, 34 and seven protocols 27,29,31,33,[36][37][38] regarding vocational interventions were included. There was an e-health intervention 37 aimed to enhance returnto-work for cancer patients by providing workrelated information and solving work-related problems.…”