[Importance of Gradual Reintegration for Return to Work in Oncology Patients]

Gradual reintegration has been an established tool for return to work for many years. However, the effect is unclear in patients with oncological diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the significance of gradual reintegration after inpatient medical rehabilitation.

Within the framework of a cohort study, data of 787 patients who underwent medical rehabilitation at Clinic Reinhardshöhe from 06/2012 to 06/2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were routinely contacted 6 months after the end of medical rehabilitation and asked about their occupational situation. The subjective employment prognosis stated by the patient was recorded using the Würzburg Screening Questionnaire.

485/787 patients (62%) had undergone gradual reintegration, 302/787 patients (38%) had not. At the time of the follow-up survey, 456/485 patients with gradual reintegration had returned to work, while only 155/302 patients in the group without gradual reintegration had done so (94 vs. 51%; p<0.001). As a positive predictor of return to work, gradual reintegration was found to be by far the strongest factor (OR 20.21; 95% CI 8.605-47.065).

Although this is a retrospective analysis of routine data, gradual reintegration turns out to be a very strong predictor of return to work. Nonuse of stWE is likely influenced by other medical or personal factors not controlled for in our study. This may have led to overestimation of the effect.