Return-to-work support in cancer patients: Which methodology?
Laétitia Rollin1, Geraldine De Blasi2, Line Boucher3
1Centre hospitalo-universitaire de Rouen, service de médecine du travail et pathologie professionnelle, Rouen, France; Rouen University, Sorbonne university, university of Paris 13, laboratory of medical informatics and knowledge engineering in e-Health, LIMICS, Inserm, 75006 Paris, France.
Introduction:
Return to work after cancer is a determinant of patients quality of life. The aims were to describe return-to-work interventions applied in a French University Hospital and to assess its effectiveness in achieving a successful return to work.
Methods:
A return-to-work questionnaire was sent to 153 patients who were accompanied by a multidisciplinary return-to-work after cancer consultation.
Results:
hundred and twenty-one patients answered the return-to-work questionnaire. Analysis of the questionnaire found an overall rate of return to work of 50% two years after the cancer diagnosis. The rate was significantly higher in patients who had received individual psychological support for returning to work (P=0.04) and higher, but not significantly, in patients who had a consultation with the company physician during their period of sick-leave (P=0.08). Participating in support groups and performing the required actions for the recognition of handicapped worker status were not factors associated with return to work.
Discussion:
An individual psychological support for returning to work and a consultation with the company physician during the period of sick-leave should be systematically recommended for patients suffering from cancer. Participating in support groups and recognition of handicapped worker status should be recommended on a case-by-case basis.
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