Objective Effective interventions supporting cancer survivors in work participation are lacking, possibly due to the poor fit between interventions and cancer survivors’ needs. The ‘Readiness for Return To Work’ (RRTW) questionnaire could facilitate intervention development tailored to cancer survivors’ needs. We performed a cross‐cultural translation and adaptation of this questionnaire into Dutch and pre‐tested its psychometric properties among cancer survivors. Methods Questionnaire translation and adaptation were conducted using a systematic approach of: forward translation, synthesis, backward translation, consolidation of translations with an expert committee, and pre‐testing. Pre‐testing consisted of interviewing 40 cancer survivors, who completed the questionnaire. Results The translated and adapted RRTW questionnaire showed reasonable psychometric properties, that is high item‐to‐stage correlations and internal consistency for all RRTW stages, except for the prepared for action – self‐evaluative stage. Conclusions The translated and adapted RRTW questionnaire may be useful for tailoring interventions to support cancer survivors in returning to and maintaining at work. However, some items showed poor psychometric properties and several factors, important for work participation, are not captured, for example personal, disease‐, treatment‐ and/or work‐related characteristics. We recommend to further test the RRTW questionnaire and to use it in combination with additional measurement instruments when developing tailored work participation interventions.
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.
Introduction The number of cancer survivors in a working age is rising. An awareness of factors associated with adverse work outcomes, and of supportive interventions, is needed. Sources of data A narrative review of research obtained via several databases, including Medline and PsycINFO, was conducted. Areas of agreement A range of factors is associated with adverse work outcomes such as prolonged sick leave, delayed return to work, disability pension and unemployment in cancer survivors. They include the cancer type and treatment, fatigue, cognitive functioning, work factors and elements of health care systems. Effective supportive interventions encompass physical and multicomponent interventions. Areas of controversy The role of behaviour determinants and legislative and insurance systems is unclear. It is furthermore uncertain what the optimal timing of delivering supportive interventions is. Growing points Further focus on vulnerable groups, including specific cancer types and those with lower income, lower educational level and in precarious employment, is needed. Areas timely for developing research Recent developments are tailored and timely interventions.
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