Work-related predictors of not returning to work after inpatient rehabilitation in cancer patients

Abstract

Background. The purpose of the study was to explore the association between work-related factors and not returning to work in cancer patients. The identification of any special issues contributes to the development of occupation-related rehabilitation programmes. This study focused on aspects that may be influenced by patients with the help of counselling (e.g., handling occupational stress). Material and methods. At the beginning and one year after the end of rehabilitation, we asked patients to answer occupation-related questionnaires. We used t-tests and χ²-tests as well as logistic regression analyses to address our research questions. Results. Of 333 patients, 21% had not returned to work one year after the end of rehabilitation. In comparison with working patients, patients who were not working reported poorer mental health and more occupational problems at the beginning of rehabilitation. Unemployment at the beginning of rehabilitation, an elevated risk of early retirement and limited self-assessed work ability increased the probability of not returning to work. Conclusion. Patients who did not return to work represent a subgroup within rehabilitation. These patients need special support and should receive counselling beyond the time of rehabilitation. This is particularly true for unemployed patients who need intensive help to return to the workforce. Furthermore, patients’ estimations of their work ability and their plans for returning to work play a crucial role and should be discussed during rehabilitation.

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Levente Kriston for his statistical support and counselling when preparing the manuscript and we thank all of the patients who took part within the study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

We thank the Society for the promotion of rehabilitation research in Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein e.V. (Verein zur Förderung der Rehabilitationsforschung in Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und Schleswig-Holstein e.V., vffr, Grant ID 117) for funding the project.