Cancer survivors' experiences with conversations about work‐related issues in the hospital setting

Abstract

Objective Early access to work‐related psychosocial cancer care can contribute to return to work of cancer survivors. We aimed to explore: (a) the extent to which hospital healthcare professionals conduct conversations about work‐related issues with cancer survivors, (b) whether cancer survivors experience these conversations as helpful, and (c) the possible financial implications for cancer survivors of (not) discussing their work early on. Methods The Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations developed and conducted a cross‐sectional online survey, consisting of 27 items, among cancer survivors in the Netherlands. Results In total, 3500 survivors participated in this study (71% female; mean age (SD) 56 (11) years). Thirty‐two percent reported to have had a conversation about work‐related issues with a healthcare professional in the hospital. Fifty‐four percent indicated that this conversation had been helpful to them. Conversations about work‐related issues took place more frequently with male cancer survivors, those aged 55 years or below, those diagnosed with gynecological, prostate, breast, and hematological or lymphatic cancer, those diagnosed ≤2 years ago, or those who received their last treatment ≤2 years ago. There was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of conversations about work‐related issues and experiencing the financial consequences of cancer and/or its treatment as burdensome. Conclusions Although conversations about work‐related issues are generally experienced as helpful by cancer survivors, early access to work‐related psychosocial cancer care in the hospital setting is not yet systematically offered.

Supporting participation in paid work of cancer survivors and their partners in the Netherlands: protocol of the SusTained Employability in cancer Patients and their partnerS (STEPS) multi-centre randomized controlled trial and cohort study

“…The extra costs of the STEPS program likely outweigh against the gains in reduced productivity loss. If proven to be (cost-)effective, the STEPS intervention will be a valuable addition to standard care for cancer survivors, which currently varies greatly in the extent to which work-related issues are addressed [ 4 ]. Results from this RCT will also help to improve the work-related care of cancer survivors as it will provide insights into which elements of work-related care are effective and which elements are not.…”

“…Participants in the control group will receive usual care regarding sustained employment, the content and availability of which will vary per participating hospital. In the Netherlands, there is no structured provision of work-related care for cancer survivors in hospitals, and we have shown before that the extent to which such care is provided to cancer survivors is therefore limited [ 4 ]. Nonetheless, work-related care is sometimes delivered as part of the care provided by various health care providers including occupational therapists, social workers, rehabilitation care practitioners or physiotherapists.…”

“…Although 64% will return to work (RTW) after their diagnosis [ 1 ], many cancer survivors experience long-term psychosocial (e.g., feelings of depression, anxiety, uselessness and loneliness), physical (e.g., fatigue, pain, nausea, menopausal symptoms and movement limitations), and/or cognitive difficulties (e.g., changes in ability to multitask and working memory), possibly affecting their working lives [ 2 , 3 ]. Despite these difficulties, work-related care is often not or not systematically provided to cancer survivors [ 4 ]. In this study we define cancer survivorship as ‘a process that begins at the moment of diagnosis and continues through the balance of life’ [ 5 ].…”

“…Findings from a systematic review showed that 73% of long-term cancer survivors that were working at time of diagnosis managed to retain work 2 years after their diagnosis [ 8 ]. Yet, a recent study has shown that many cancer survivors wish to receive work-related care early after diagnosis in the hospital setting, with only few cancer survivors actually receiving such early care [ 4 ]. These studies illustrate the difficulty of RTW and retaining paid employment, beyond initial reintegration at the workplace, for cancer survivors.…”

Future research in cancer survivorship

“…About 64% of cancer survivors will return to work after their diagnosis [15,16], and for those working at diagnosis (heterogeneous cancer types) about three quarters of long-term cancer survivors retain their working status over the long run [17]. Nevertheless, many cancer survivors experience long-term psychosocial (e.g., anxiety, loneliness), physical (e.g., fatigue, pain), cognitive (e.g., changes in ability to multitask, memory problems), and workplace challenges with co-workers or supervisors related to work [18][19][20]. Despite these difficulties, work-related interventions are often not provided to cancer survivors.…”