Zamanzadeh Vahid, Sadeghian Ali, Valizadeh Leila, Rahmani Azad, Abbasdost Robab, Zirak Mohammad
Medical-Surgical Nursing, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Medical-Surgical Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
BMJ Open. 2025 May 26;15(5):e097932. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-097932.
The transition back to work after cancer is a significant milestone for many survivors, affecting their financial stability, psychological well-being and overall quality of life. Return-to-work (RTW) process is often complicated by lingering physical and cognitive impairments, changes in self-identity and workplace dynamics. Understanding how cancer survivors navigate this process is crucial for the development of effective support systems. This study aimed to explore strategies employed by cancer survivors in managing the RTW process.
This study employed a qualitative content analysis approach to explore RTW strategies used by cancer survivors.
The study was conducted at a referral cancer centre and the workplaces of cancer survivors located in East Azerbaijan, Iran.
A total of 22 cancer survivors were selected using purposive sampling. These participants had completed primary cancer treatment and had rich and diverse RTW-related experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and then analysed using the inductive content analysis approach described by Graneheim and Lundman (2004).
'Active Strategies for Returning to Work' constituted the main theme and consisted of three categories, including assessing the situation, self-accommodation and impressing the workplace.
Cancer survivors actively engaged in RTW. They evaluate their situations before returning to work, seek to accommodate themselves to their circumstances and impress their workplaces to gain the necessary support. Healthcare providers, employers and families, as the most influential parties in the RTW process of cancer survivors, should recognise survivors' positive strategies and provide informational, financial, emotional and occupational support.
对许多癌症幸存者而言，回归工作岗位是一个重要的里程碑，会影响他们的经济稳定、心理健康和整体生活质量。重返工作岗位（RTW）的过程常常因持续存在的身体和认知障碍、自我认同的变化以及工作场所动态变化而变得复杂。了解癌症幸存者如何应对这一过程对于开发有效的支持系统至关重要。本研究旨在探索癌症幸存者在管理RTW过程中所采用的策略。
本研究采用定性内容分析方法来探索癌症幸存者使用的RTW策略。
该研究在伊朗东阿塞拜疆的一家转诊癌症中心以及癌症幸存者的工作场所进行。
通过目的抽样共选取了22名癌症幸存者。这些参与者已完成原发性癌症治疗，且有丰富多样的与RTW相关的经历。数据通过半结构化的面对面访谈收集，然后使用Graneheim和Lundman（2004）描述的归纳性内容分析方法进行分析。
“重返工作的积极策略”构成了主要主题，包括三个类别，即评估形势、自我调适和给工作场所留下深刻印象。
癌症幸存者积极参与RTW。他们在重返工作岗位之前评估自身情况，努力使自己适应环境，并给工作场所留下深刻印象以获得必要的支持。医疗保健提供者、雇主和家庭作为癌症幸存者RTW过程中最具影响力的各方，应认识到幸存者的积极策略，并提供信息、经济、情感和职业支持。
