Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2019 May;28(2):83-93. 10.5807/kjohn.2019.28.2.83.

A Literature Review of Return-to-Work Interventions for Cancer Survivors

• Bae KR
• Cho J
• Jeon SH

• KMID: 2449359
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2019.28.2.83

Abstract

PURPOSE
Cancer patients are at a higher risk of being unemployed or facing difficulty in returning to work (RTW) than individuals without health concerns. The aim of this study is to identify and describe interventions developed specifically to assist cancer patients to RTW after treatment.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted from September to October 2018 in different international databases: PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Studies using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed designs were included if they satisfied the following criteria: (a) described an intervention to assist cancer patients to RTW during or after treatment; (b) conducted on patients aged 18 and over and diagnosed with cancer; (c) written in English; (d) published in peer-reviewed journals.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Counseling with physical activity intervention, behavioral training to reduce fatigue, and multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programs were found to be effective.
CONCLUSION
Interventions adopting a multidisciplinary approach were effective for RTW in cancer patients. This literature review emphasizes the need for more tailored interventions based on survivors' needs and characteristics in the RTW field.

Keyword

Cancer survivors; Return to work; Clinical trial; Review

MeSH Terms

Counseling
Fatigue
Humans
Motor Activity
Rehabilitation
Return to Work*
Survivors*