Patient-reported outcomes from a workplace intervention program for cancer survivors highlight ongoing needs to support continuation of work

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of cancer survivors who continue to work and provide information to evaluate and develop a supportive workplace program (Ensemble) based on the principles of navigation.MethodsA mixed-methods design using surveys and open-ended questions was used to study the perceptions of two groups of cancer survivors in the same workplace: those who chose to use a workplace navigational program (Ensemble program users) and those who declined (non-users). Key outcomes were communication and attitudinal self-efficacy, measured by the Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy scale for cancer (CASE-cancer); emotional and informational social support, measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Social Support domain (PROMIS-Social Support); and satisfaction with the navigator relationship, measured using the Patient Satisfaction with Interpersonal Relationship with Navigator (PSN-I).ResultsThe study included 7 program users and 17 non-users. There were no significant differences in attitudinal self-efficacy, emotional support, or informational support between the groups. The relationship with the Nurse Navigator was rated highly by program users. The most frequent themes to the open-ended responses included work demands, privacy, integration of life and work, and program improvement.ConclusionsSuccessful reintegration into/continuation of work remains a key need for cancer survivors. The navigation program design for cancer survivors should be further improved and applied across work settings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-019-04964-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Similarities and differences across the underlying dimensions of social functioning in rural and nonrural cancer survivors: A mixed‐methods study

“…Participants' perception of their informational (6-items), emotional (6-items), and instrumental social support (6-items) were assessed using the 18-item PROMIS Social Support 11 (PROMIS-SS). 34,35 Higher scores on the subscale (range = 6-30; αs = 0.96-0.97) and total scale (range = 18-90; α = 0.98) indicate greater social support. The social constraint was assessed by the 15-item Social Constraints Scale.…”