The Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors: Sufficient responsiveness for use as a patient-reported outcome measurement

Tamminga, Sietske J.; Jong, Merel de; Frings‐Dresen, Monique H. W.; Boer, Angela G. E. M. de

doi:10.1111/ecc.12910

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The QWLQ consists of 23 items and is divided into five subscales: (1) meaning of work, (2) impression/perception of the work situation, (3) atmosphere in the working environment, (4) understanding and recognition in the organization, and (5) problems due to the health situation [ 10 ]. QWLQ responses were scored on a 6-point scale [totally disagree (1) to totally agree (6)] and higher scores indicated better QWL [ 17 ]. Total QWLQ score (0–100) and the five subscale scores (0–100) were calculated when at least 50% of the items were answered [ 17 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…QWLQ responses were scored on a 6-point scale [totally disagree (1) to totally agree (6)] and higher scores indicated better QWL [ 17 ]. Total QWLQ score (0–100) and the five subscale scores (0–100) were calculated when at least 50% of the items were answered [ 17 ]. When the “not applicable” category was filled in the case of self-employed patients, this was scored as missing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impaired Quality of Working Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

et al. 2020

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Background Work-related aspects are important determinants of health for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Aims We aimed to describe quality of working life (QWL) in IBD patients and to assess variables that are associated with QWL. Methods Employed IBD patients of two tertiary and two secondary referral hospitals were included. QWL (range 0-100) was measured using the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire (QWLQ). Work productivity (WP), fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, respectively. Active disease was defined as a score > 4 for the patient-reported Harvey-Bradshaw index in Crohn's disease (CD) or Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index in ulcerative colitis patients. Results In total, 510 IBD patients were included (59% female, 53% CD, mean age 43 (SD 12) years). The mean QWLQ score was 78 (SD 11). The lowest subscore (54 (SD 26)) was observed for "problems due to the health situation": 63% reported fatigue-related problems at work, 48% agreed being hampered at work, 46% had limited confidence in their body, and 48% felt insecure about the future due to their health situation. Intermediate/strong associations were found between QWL and fatigue (r = − 0.543, p < 0.001), HRQL (r = 0.527, p < 0.001), WP loss (r = − 0.453, p < 0.001) and disease activity (r = − 0.331, p < 0.001). Independent predictors of impaired QWL in hierarchical regression analyses were fatigue (B = − 0.204, p < 0.001), WP loss (B = − 0.070, p < 0.001), and impaired HRQL (B = 0.248, p = 0.001). Conclusions IBD-related problems at work negatively influence QWL. Fatigue, reduced HRQL, and WP loss were independent predictors of impaired QWL in IBD.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impaired Quality of Working Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

et al. 2020

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“…The answer option 'does not apply' for employer-related questions will be omitted for this study since this option is intended for self-employed cancer survivors, who will be excluded for participation in the current study. The QWLQ-CS has been tested among employees with cancer and reveals good psychometric properties among employed cancer survivors [40,41]. 2) Unwanted work changes since diagnosis (at T0) or in the previous 3 months (at T1 and T2).…”

Section: Effect Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The MiLES intervention targeting employers to promote successful return to work of employees with cancer: design of a pilot randomised controlled trial

Greidanus

Boer

Rijk

et al. 2020

Trials

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Background: Employers express a need for support to facilitate the return to work (RTW) process of employees with cancer. We have developed the MiLES intervention, an online toolbox targeting employers during the RTW of employees with cancer. To evaluate the MiLES intervention, we propose the design of a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). The aim of this pilot is to determine whether a future RCT to study the effectiveness of this intervention on successful RTW of employees with cancer is feasible. Secondary aims are to obtain preliminary results on the effectiveness of the intervention and to determine the sample size needed in a future definitive RCT. Methods: A pilot RCT with a 6-month follow-up will be conducted. Using medical specialists at Dutch hospitals, we aim to enrol 90 participants diagnosed with cancer (<2 years earlier) aged 18-63 years who are in paid employment with an employer and who are currently sick-listed or partly sick-listed for <1 year. Participants randomised to the intervention group will be asked to inform their employer about the online toolbox supporting employers during the RTW process of employees with cancer. Participants in the control group will receive 'care as usual' from their employer. All measures will be assessed at the level of the employee using questionnaires at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of follow-up. The feasibility of a future RCT will be determined using criteria concerning methodrelated uncertainties and acceptability of the study protocol. The primary effect measure will be successful RTW (that is, RTW perceived as being successful by the cancer survivor themselves). This effect measure will be used to perform the sample size calculation for a future definitive RCT. Discussion: The design is proposed to determine the feasibility to study the effectiveness of the MiLES intervention targeting employers on the successful RTW of employees diagnosed with cancer. This pilot RCT can increase the probability of a successful future definitive RCT on the effectiveness of the intervention and potentially obviate the need to carry out an unfeasible and resource-intensive study.

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“…Both the QWLQ-CS and the I-RTW_CS can be used as a PROM, in research and practice, for employed cancer survivors. Nevertheless, we recommend future studies to assess the responsiveness and interpretability of the I-RTW_CS, as has been done for the QWLQ-CS [30], to further determine and compare their usefulness at individual and group level.…”

Section: Interpretation Of Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Successful Return-To-Work Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (I-RTW_CS): Development, Validity and Reproducibility

Greidanus

Boer

Rijk

et al. 2020

Patient

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Background Cancer survivors' perspectives on a successful return to work (RTW) may not be captured in the common measure of RTW, namely time until RTW. Objective The purpose of this study was therefore to develop an RTW outcome measure that reflects employed cancer survivors' perspectives, with items that could be influenced by an employer, i.e. the Successful Return-To-Work questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (I-RTW_CS), and to assess its construct validity and reproducibility. Methods First, three focus groups with cancer survivors (n = 14) were organized to generate issues that may constitute successful RTW. Second, a two-round Delphi study among 108 cancer survivors was conducted to select the most important issues. Construct validity of the I-RTW_CS was assessed using correlations with a single-item measure of successful RTW and the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS; n = 57). Reproducibility (test-retest reliability) was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; n = 50). Results Forty-eight issues were generated, of which seven were included: 'enjoyment in work'; 'work without affecting health'; 'confidence of employer without assumptions about work ability'; 'open communication with employer'; 'feeling welcome at work'; 'good work-life balance'; and 'joint satisfaction with the situation (employer and cancer survivor)'. Correlations with single-item successful RTW and QWLQ-CS were 0.58 and 0.85, respectively. The reproducibility showed an ICC of 0.72. Conclusions The I-RTW_CS provides an RTW outcome measure that includes cancer survivors' perspectives and weights its items on an individual basis, allowing a more meaningful evaluation of cancer survivors' RTW. This study provides preliminary evidence for its construct validity and reproducibility.

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The Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors: Sufficient responsiveness for use as a patient-reported outcome measurement

Cited by 5 publications

References 32 publications

Impaired Quality of Working Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Impaired Quality of Working Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

The MiLES intervention targeting employers to promote successful return to work of employees with cancer: design of a pilot randomised controlled trial

The Successful Return-To-Work Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (I-RTW_CS): Development, Validity and Reproducibility

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