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Kim K, Yoon H. Effectiveness of a mobile-based return to work program for decent return to work, fatigue, stress, and quality of working life among cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 2024:10.1007/s11764-024-01570-x. [PMID: 38769245 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-024-01570-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to develop a smartphone mobile application-based supportive return to work (RTW) program for cancer survivors and evaluate its effects on their RTW, fatigue, stress, and quality of working life. This program was developed through a comprehensive process involving literature review, interviews with cancer survivors, and consultations with experts. METHODS A non-equivalent control group pre- and post-test design was used, with 41 participants assigned to the experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 23) groups based on recruitment timing. The experimental group received a 6-week smartphone mobile application-based supportive RTW program comprising "Counseling and Education" and "Self-Management." Participants completed assessments of decent RTW, fatigue, stress, and quality of working life at baseline and 6 months later. The experimental group completed an additional post-program completion survey. RESULTS During the 6-week program, no experimental group participants dropped out. The program's impact on decent RTW remains unclear. Fatigue (F = 2.52, p = 0.095) and quality of working life (F = 0.86, p = 0.434) did not show statistically significant differences. However, there was a significant reduction in stress (F = 4.59, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION The smartphone application-based RTW program, focusing on self-management and counseling, effectively reduced participants' stress levels. To further evaluate the effectiveness of the program, a more diverse range of interventions and ongoing programs should be implemented. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS This study underscores the importance of tailored digital interventions to support the RTW of cancer survivors. The use of mobile smartphone applications allows temporal and spatial flexibility in program participation. Interventions involving various activities should be implemented to ensure ongoing participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kisook Kim
- Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, 84, Heukseok-Ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyohyeon Yoon
- Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, 84, Heukseok-Ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
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Le GH, Hermansen Å, Dahl E. Return to work after cancer-the impact of working conditions: A Norwegian Register-based Study. J Cancer Surviv 2023:10.1007/s11764-023-01503-0. [PMID: 38114712 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01503-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to compare a cohort of cancer survivors with a cohort of cancer-free employees (1) with respect to employment prospects over a 15-year period and (2) with respect to the differential impact of working conditions on employment over this time period. METHODS The cancer cohort is retrieved from the Cancer Registry of Norway, while data on the non-cancer cohort are retrieved from register data managed by Statistics Norway. Job exposure matrices were used to remedy the lack of working-conditions information in the register data. We use nearest-neighbor matching to match the non-cancer cohort (the control group) to the cancer-survivor cohort (the treatment group). Cox regression analysis was applied to examine the relationships between working conditions, employment, and cancer. The results are reported separately for mechanical-job exposures and psychosocial exposures, as well as by gender. RESULTS Cancer survivors are more likely to experience reduced employment as compared to individuals without a history of cancer. Male cancer survivors in physically demanding occupations have an increased risk of reduced employment after being diagnosed with cancer. This does not apply to female cancer survivors. Regarding the impact of psychosocial exposures on employment, we find no differences over time between cancer survivors and the non-cancer population. CONCLUSIONS Male cancer survivors in physically demanding occupations have an increased risk of reduced employment after being diagnosed with cancer, whereas this is not the case for female cancer survivors. Psychosocial exposures do not impact the relative risk of reduced employment over time. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS We suggest that return to work after cancer should be considered a process rather than only the re-entry step of resuming work. Thus, it is important to provide long-term support for cancer survivors. We recommend providing more attention to working conditions, particularly in occupations that involve a high level of mechanical-job exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giang Huong Le
- Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Åsmund Hermansen
- Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Espen Dahl
- Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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Rydland HT, Bentsen HL, Ervik R, Grønning K, Islam K, Kjerstad E, Skogedal Lindén T. Promoting labour market inclusion of the chronically ill: a scoping review of Scandinavian countries' efforts. Scand J Public Health 2023; 51:1097-1107. [PMID: 35535443 PMCID: PMC10642227 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221096005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This article is a scoping review of efforts in labour market inclusion of the chronically ill in the Scandinavian countries, a research area that has received much political as well as research attention in recent years. The aim of the review was to identify promising strategies and the need for further research. METHODS Six electronic databases were searched for literature published between 2015 and 2020. We included peer-reviewed articles that studied the effect of measures, aimed at the workplace or at the individual, that are intended to increase participation. Our search resulted in 2718 articles; our screening procedures resulted in 47 included articles. RESULTS Among the included studies, musculoskeletal problems (17 articles) and mental health problems (29 articles) were the most frequent chronic conditions. Multimodal occupational rehabilitation programmes directed towards the individual employee were the most frequent interventions (30 articles). Return to work (24 articles) and sickness absence (12 articles) were the most common outcomes. About half (25 articles) of the included studies reported a positive impact of the intervention on work inclusion of the chronically ill. CONCLUSIONS Our review found little evidence of how government programmes directed towards the supply side of the labour market succeed in including the chronically ill. Our review further indicated that multidisciplinary workplace interventions have a substantial effect. We also identified a significant lack of research on the effect of various governmental policies and programmes, including local health, work and welfare services, and limited coordination and cooperation between health and work services professions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rune Ervik
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kjersti Grønning
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kamrul Islam
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
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Wennman-Larsen A, Svärd V, Alexanderson K, Friberg E. Factors of decisive importance for being in work or not during two years after breast cancer surgery: content analysis of 462 women's open answers. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:332. [PMID: 34521383 PMCID: PMC8438964 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01468-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Paid work is one of the most important aspects in life among working-aged women diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite several attempts, no previous study provides a comprehensive overview from the women’s perspective about factors of importance for being able to work or not. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain knowledge about factors that women themselves state are of decisive importance for being able to work or not during the first two years after breast cancer surgery. Methods Data was collected in a two-year follow-up questionnaire within the frame of a prospective cohort study of working-aged women who had undergone breast cancer surgery. 749 were included in the questionnaire study and of the 616 (82%) responding women, 462 (75%) wrote statements on an open-ended question about factors of decisive importance for being able to work or not work during the past two years. The statements were analyzed with content analysis. Results Five categories of factors of importance for being able to work or not were identified, each covering several sub-categories: Health and wellbeing, Contacts and encounters, Flexibility and adjustment possibilities, Socioeconomic consequences from working/not working, and Own motivation and characteristics. A wide variety of factors were mentioned by the women and the findings give a multifaceted picture of many single but interrelated factors of decisive importance for being able to work/not work. The importance of flexibility in the return-to-work process was stressed, as well as the importance of supportive encounters from, e.g., colleagues, managers, as well as relatives. Conclusions The results give a comprehensive overview over a variety of different types of factors for being able to return to/remain in work or to not work after breast cancer surgery, adding new knowledge about e.g. the importance of colleagues, and the women’s own preferences or characteristics. These are factors that different stakeholders, both from healthcare but also from the work place and the insurance office, need to be aware of and collaborate around to support women with breast cancer during the period of treatment, rehabilitation and return to work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Wennman-Larsen
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Box 5605, 11486, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Veronica Svärd
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Social Work, Södertörn University, 14189, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristina Alexanderson
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilie Friberg
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
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Kudre D, Chen Z, Richard A, Cabaset S, Dehler A, Schmid M, Rohrmann S. Multidisciplinary Outpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Can Improve Cancer Patients' Physical and Psychosocial Status-a Systematic Review. Curr Oncol Rep 2020; 22:122. [PMID: 33001322 PMCID: PMC7529622 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-020-00979-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation programmes by looking at physical, psychosocial and return to work status of adult cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS There is growing evidence that emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary rehabilitation especially in outpatient care, which addresses the complex and individual needs of cancer patients. Many studies focus on measuring the effect of individual rehabilitation interventions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and before-after studies examining the effects of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation programmes were included in this systematic review. The electronic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PEDro. The PICO statement was used for selection of the studies. Six randomized controlled trials and six before-after studies were included. Interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient cancer rehabilitation programmes improved physical and/or psychosocial status of cancer patients. However, non-significant changes in a variety of single physical and psychosocial measures were also common. The findings of the systematic review indicate that interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient cancer rehabilitation can improve cancer patients' physical and psychosocial status. This review is limited by the narrative approach due to the heterogeneity of outcome measures. To evaluate effects of rehabilitation, better comparable studies are necessary. Further research is needed in regard to long-term outcomes, effects on return to work status and on the associations depending on cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Kudre
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zhehui Chen
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aline Richard
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Cabaset
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Dehler
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Margareta Schmid
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Rohrmann
- Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 82, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Return to Work Interventions for Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and a Methodological Critique. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16081343. [PMID: 31014004 PMCID: PMC6518012 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer patients are more at risk of being unemployed or having difficulties to return to work (RTW) compared to individuals without health concerns, and is thus a major public health issue. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and describe the interventions developed specifically to help cancer patients to RTW after treatment. Two researchers independently screened the articles for inclusion and Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists were used to assess the methodology of the included studies. Ten manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. The type of studies were three quasi-experimental studies, three longitudinal studies, three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a qualitative study. RTW interventions were conducted in or outside the hospital (n = 6 and 3 respectively), or both (n = 1). Improvements in RTW were only observed in quasi-experimental studies. No improvement in RTW was noted in RCTs, nor in other measures (e.g., quality of life, fatigue). Lack of statistically significant improvement does not necessarily reflect reality, but may be attributed to non-adapted research methods. This systematic review underscores the need for researches in the RTW field to reach a consensus on RTW criteria and their assessment. Recommendations to this effect are suggested.
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