Colorectal cancer survivors' experiences of return-to-work: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

INTRODUCTION

This review is to explore the relevant experience of colorectal cancer survivors' return-to-work, reintegrating and analyzing the promoting factors and obstacles of colorectal cancer survivors' return-to-work.

METHODS

This review followed PRISMA List. Databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EM base, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Wangfang Database, CNKI and CBM from inception to October 2022 were searched to collect qualitative studies in the experience of colorectal cancer survivors' return-to-work. Article selection and data extraction were conducted by two researchers used the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative researches (2016) in Australia.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included, the thirty-four themes distilled from the literature were grouped into eleven new categories and summed into two integrated findings: (1) facilitators to return-to-work for colorectal cancer survivors: desire and expectation for return-to-work and social dedication, economic needs, support and tolerance from employers and colleagues, work suggestions provided by professionals, health insurance policy of the workplace. (2) obstacles to return-to-work for colorectal cancer survivors: physical problems, psychological barriers, lack of family support, negative attitudes of employers and colleagues, limited information and resources available from professionals, Imperfection of related policies.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that colorectal cancer survivors' return-to-work is influenced by many factors. We should pay attention to and avoid obstacles, help colorectal cancer survivors recover their physical functions and maintain a positive psychological state, improve the social support for colorectal cancer survivors to return-to-work, so as to achieve comprehensive rehabilitation as soon as possible.