Department of Human Services, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Jan;30(1):184-192. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13388. Epub 2021 Apr 14.
Although family members play an important role in various aspects of coping with cancer and are significantly affected by it, little is known about their perspectives regarding return to work (RTW). This study explored attitudes and experiences of cancer survivors' family members related to cancer survivors' RTW. The present study consists of a qualitative research design, employing in-depth semistructured interviews with first-degree family members (N = 21) of cancer survivors who were approached through online social networks: spouses, children, parents and siblings. Grounded theory techniques were used for data analysis. Four themes emerged from the interviews: (a) the family's cautious voice in return-to-work decision making; (b) work-home imbalance; (c) inhibiting or promoting the effect of work on the recovery process and (d) expectations and appreciation of unconditional workplace support. The findings suggest that psychosocial and health care professionals should help family members play an active role in the decision of RTW. Professionals should also prepare family members for potential costs of RTW for the family and help them develop realistic expectations regarding workplace support of the cancer survivor.
尽管家庭成员在应对癌症的各个方面发挥着重要作用，并受到癌症的显著影响，但人们对他们在癌症幸存者重返工作岗位（RTW）方面的观点知之甚少。本研究探讨了癌症幸存者家庭成员对癌症幸存者 RTW 的态度和经验。本研究采用定性研究设计，通过在线社交网络，对癌症幸存者的一级家庭成员（配偶、子女、父母和兄弟姐妹，N=21）进行深入的半结构化访谈。采用扎根理论技术进行数据分析。访谈中出现了四个主题：（a）家庭在重返工作决策中的谨慎声音；（b）工作与家庭的不平衡；（c）抑制或促进工作对康复过程的影响；（d）对无条件工作场所支持的期望和感激。研究结果表明，心理社会和医疗保健专业人员应帮助家庭成员在 RTW 决策中发挥积极作用。专业人员还应为家庭成员做好 RTW 的潜在成本准备，并帮助他们对癌症幸存者的工作场所支持形成现实的期望。
