Am I ready to return to work? Assisting cancer survivors to determine work readiness

Stergiou-Kita, Mary; Pritlove, Cheryl; Holness, D. Linn; Kirsh, Bonnie; Eerd, Dwayne Van; Duncan, Andrea; Jones, Jennifer

doi:10.1007/s11764-016-0516-9

Cited by 52 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Given the functional disability specific to sarcoma, a more difficult RTW transition would have been expected in this population. Our findings contradict this, as they largely agree with those reported in survivors from other types of cancer . Primary tumour site would thus seem to not impact RTW in those who successfully make the transition.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

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Experiences of return to work after treatment for extremital soft tissue or bone sarcoma: Between distraction and leaving the disease behind

2020

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Objective: We aimed to explore the return to work (RTW) experience of individuals in remission from extremital sarcoma.Methods: Using a qualitative survey design, we asked sarcoma survivors about their RTW experiences after treatment. Seven men and eight women (n = 15), 43 years old in average, participated. The majority had soft tissue sarcoma (n = 14) and no amputations (n = 14). We analysed data thematically through an inductive approach.Results: Participants' motivation to RTW and their experiences of this transition could be understood under the main theme of "searching for distraction and wanting to leave the disease behind," followed by "problems of the new normal." RTW was the next step after treatment; however, being back at the same workplace/institution was challenging due to the interference of the effects of the disease and treatments and peer perceptions. In other subthemes, we identified that RTW was facilitated by different "signs of readiness," as well as by "motivating factors and the meaning of having an occupation."Conclusions: Readiness to RTW while primarily an autonomous decision can also be guided by third parties, including treating physicians. RTW can be challenging, since changes in performance as well as comments from peers become a constant reminder of the status prior to the illness. Given that RTW helps distract from the disease, these reminders can be confronting and highlight the role of health professionals and employers in preparing survivors and peers to facilitate the RTW. K E Y W O R D S cancer, cancer survivors, oncology, psycho-oncology, psychosocial issues, return to work, sarcoma

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

“…As a result, return to work (RTW) has become a possibility and an expectation for those still at a working age . Although the RTW experience of cancer survivors has been explored in general, the experience of people with specific and rare cancer diagnoses remains largely unexplored …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of return to work after treatment for extremital soft tissue or bone sarcoma: Between distraction and leaving the disease behind

2020

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“…Limited information may cause potential delay in getting back to work but also might result in resuming work too soon without necessary preparations. Either way, this can have irreparable damages to survivors, employers, and societies . Therefore, health care systems and rehabilitation specialists should inform cancer survivors about the disease and its impact on their occupational life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer survivors' experiences of return to work: A qualitative study

et al. 2018

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Cancer survivors have different individual perspectives that affect their decision about returning to work. Their perspectives should be assessed before returning to work, and necessary support should be provided for them in returning to work process. In this regard, health care systems and rehabilitation specialists should inform cancer survivors about the disease and return to work. Also, employers should prepare work places for cancer survivors' entrance.

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“…Cancer survivors that perceive inadequate support may feel more vulnerable to the emotional and physical challenges in their workplace (14) compared with other employees. For this reason, available support is important in shaping the way in which patients' evaluate their readiness, to return to work (6,13). However, emotional support from friends and family can also play a vital role in the return to work process (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer Survivors’ Social Context in the Return to Work Process: Narrative Accounts of Social Support and Social Comparison Information

2017

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Purpose Returning to work is a process that is intertwined with the social aspects of one's life, which can influence the way in which that person manages their return to work and also determines the support available to them. This study aimed to explore cancer patients' perceptions of the role of their social context in relation to returning to work following treatment. Methods Twenty-three patients who had received a diagnosis of either urological, breast, gynaecological, or bowel cancer participated in semi-structured interviews examining general perceptions of cancer, work values and perceptions of the potential impact of their cancer diagnosis and treatment on work. Interviews were analysed using the iterative process of Framework Analysis. Results Two superordinate themes emerged as influential in the return to work process: Social support as a facilitator of return to work (e.g. co-workers' support and support outside of the workplace) and Social comparison as an appraisal of readiness to return to work (e.g. comparisons with other cancer patients, colleagues, and employees in other organisations or professions). Conclusions Two functions of the social context of returning to work after cancer were apparent in the participants' narrative: the importance of social support as a facilitator of returning to work and the utilisation of social comparison information in order to appraise one's readiness to return to work. The role of social context in returning to work has largely been absent from the research literature to date. The findings of this study suggest that social support and social comparison mechanisms may have a significant impact on an individual's successful return to the workplace.

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Am I ready to return to work? Assisting cancer survivors to determine work readiness

Abstract: Supports from health care providers in determining work readiness can ensure survivors do not return to work either "too early" or "too late."

Cited by 52 publications

References 50 publications

Experiences of return to work after treatment for extremital soft tissue or bone sarcoma: Between distraction and leaving the disease behind

Experiences of return to work after treatment for extremital soft tissue or bone sarcoma: Between distraction and leaving the disease behind

Cancer survivors' experiences of return to work: A qualitative study

Cancer Survivors’ Social Context in the Return to Work Process: Narrative Accounts of Social Support and Social Comparison Information

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