What is the value of occupational therapy in return to work for breast cancer patients? A qualitative inquiry among experts

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are confronted with breast cancer (BC) and functional limitations after treatment. Occupational therapy (OT) is successful in return to work (RTW), but not yet available for BC patients. This paper explores experts' opinions on OT interventions for RTW in BC patients in the Belgian context. Primary data were topic-interviews with all heads of OT departments in Flemish University Hospitals (n = 5). Secondary data were four focus group interviews with care professionals in oncological rehabilitation (n = 41). All data were transcribed and thematic analysis was used. Integrated in multidisciplinary teamwork, OT interventions should have a holistic and client-centred approach, start early in the rehabilitation process, include workplace visits and contacts with relevant stakeholders, and use goal setting to start up tailor made rehabilitation, linking assessment of abilities and work. Occupational therapists are regarded as professionals who can effectively answer BC patients unmet needs regarding RTW due to their skill to bridge between care and workplace. According to the experts, OT interventions supporting RTW in BC patients are useful when integrated in regular healthcare. They agree on the components but organisational barriers should be removed, for example not providing reimbursement for including this type of support trough healthcare insurance.

Participation in Daily Activities among Working Women Following Breast Cancer

“…Our study provides specific evidence in support of a recent call to develop return-to-work interventions [39]. Furthermore, more women prioritized productive activities (such as work, housekeeping, and shopping) than prioritized self-care and social activities.…”

Interventions developed with the Intervention Mapping protocol in the field of cancer: A systematic review

“…Forty additional publications were retrieved reporting their needs assessment (n = 18), their step 4 (n = 3), their implementation planning (n = 1), their evaluation (n = 17), and their implementation (n = 1).…”

“…Forty additional publications were retrieved reporting their needs assessment [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51] (n = 18), their step 4 [52][53][54] (n = 3), their implementation planning 55 (n = 1), their evaluation [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72] (n = 17), and their implementation 73 (n = 1).…”

Return-to-work intervention during cancer treatment - The providers' experiences

“…Occupational therapists are according to some international experts regarded as professionals who can effectively answer cancer patients unmet needs regarding RTW due to their skill to bridge between care and workplace (Désiron, Donceel, Godderis, Van Hoof, & de Rijk, 2015). Occupational therapists are according to some international experts regarded as professionals who can effectively answer cancer patients unmet needs regarding RTW due to their skill to bridge between care and workplace (Désiron, Donceel, Godderis, Van Hoof, & de Rijk, 2015).…”

“…In some European countries, occupational therapists are involved in RTW issues at hospitals, whereas the primary healthcare professions involved in these issues at oncology departments in Denmark are physicians and nurses. Occupational therapists are according to some international experts regarded as professionals who can effectively answer cancer patients unmet needs regarding RTW due to their skill to bridge between care and workplace (Désiron, Donceel, Godderis, Van Hoof, & de Rijk, 2015). The ICF model targets occupational issues and highlight the need for an inter-professional approach to address physical, social, and emotional issues and environmental factors that may hinder or promote work participation (Heerkens et al, 2004;Loisel & Anema, 2013;WHO, 2011).…”