Department of Nursing, Hung Kuang University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
Work. 2024;77(1):231-241. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220707.
The number of survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) has steadily increased due to major advances in cancer care. However, cancer survivors who experience job loss face different challenges regarding return to work (RTW). Relatively few studies have integrated the experience encountered by patients.
This mixed-methods study aimed to explore the experience and challenges of RTW in patients with HNC.
Data were collected with structured questionnaires (n = 120) and semi-structured face-to-face interviews (n = 12).
Relationships were found between patient's physical status, perceived stress, and social support. Patients who continued work, or not, had significant differences in reported physical function and stress. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data, including the perceived meaning of work, challenges for RTW, preparing for RTW, and social support. After diagnosis and treatment, patients perceived the meaning of work, such as personal value, responsibility, and financial need. They faced many challenges to RTW, including declining physical strength, workload, schedule rearrangement, speech difficulty, and changed appearance. In order to RTW, they prepared extensively and needed support from family and friends.
This study revealed the experiences and challenges of RTW patients with HNC. The results allowed us to identify patients' concerns and ways that healthcare providers could improve the RTW process. Future studies may develop tailored approaches for RTW in healthcare and government policies.
由于癌症治疗的重大进展，头颈部癌症（HNC）幸存者的数量稳步增加。然而，经历失业的癌症幸存者在重返工作岗位（RTW）方面面临着不同的挑战。相对较少的研究综合了患者所经历的体验。
本混合方法研究旨在探讨 HNC 患者 RTW 的体验和挑战。
通过结构化问卷（n=120）和半结构化面对面访谈（n=12）收集数据。
患者的身体状况、感知压力和社会支持之间存在关系。继续工作或不工作的患者在报告的身体功能和压力方面存在显著差异。定性数据中出现了四个主题，包括对工作的感知意义、RTW 的挑战、RTW 的准备和社会支持。诊断和治疗后，患者感知到工作的意义，如个人价值、责任和经济需求。他们在 RTW 方面面临许多挑战，包括体力下降、工作量、时间表调整、言语困难和外貌改变。为了 RTW，他们做了充分的准备，并需要家人和朋友的支持。
本研究揭示了 HNC 患者 RTW 的体验和挑战。研究结果使我们能够确定患者的关注点以及医疗保健提供者可以改善 RTW 过程的方式。未来的研究可以为医疗保健和政府政策中的 RTW 制定量身定制的方法。
