Multidisciplinary Department of “Return to Work After a Cancer”: A French Experience of Support Groups for Vocational Rehabilitation

Abstract

This qualitative pilot exploratory study focuses on support groups for vocational rehabilitation after cancer implemented in a French and innovative multidisciplinary department of “Return to Work after a Cancer.” Sixty-three patients were invited to participate to constitute two support groups of 20 participants. Questionnaires are sent to assess their benefit according to the participants’ point of view. For 58% of participants, support groups helped the return to work, and for 70% it provided personal, family, and relational support. Support groups are a relevant response to expectations and specific issues of patients experiencing return to work after cancer.

KEYWORDS:

• cancer
• return to work
• support groups
• psychological support
• multidisciplinary team

Notes

According to the decree of March 26^, 1993, the hospital social worker has to “help people […] experiencing social difficulties to regain their autonomy and facilitate their social integration. With respect, the [social worker] seeks the causes that affect their psychological, economic or social balance.”

In this context, the social worker relies on the wishes and issues experienced by the patient, informs about his rights, advises and guides through the appropriate procedures (e.g., MDPH, Social Insurance Agency). Two situations are most common. The pathology can upset a balanced life for patients and their relatives and generates a social problem or the disease can strengthen the pre-existent precarious situation of the patient.