Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gauthier Bellagamba, Aymeric Descamps, Cathia Cypowyj, Francois Eisinger, Antoine Villa, Marie-Pascale Lehucher-Michel
Summary: The study found that factors such as regular contact with the company during sick leave, optional pre-reinstatement visit with the occupational physician, and requesting treatment adaptation during treatment period can influence cancer survivors' return to work.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Dianne M. M. Sheppard, Moira O'Connor, Michael Jefford, Georgina Lamb, Dorothy Frost, Niki Ellis, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Summary: More women are returning to work after breast cancer treatment. The 'Beyond Cancer' rehabilitation program was designed to support breast cancer survivors in their return to work. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the intervention from the perspectives of breast cancer survivors, employers, and occupational rehabilitation providers. Results showed preliminary efficacy for primary work outcomes and high acceptability and engagement. Further research is needed to demonstrate broader implementation with other types of cancer.
Article
Oncology
Amye J. Tevaarwerk
Summary: Work limitations due to health problems can have negative impacts on employment stability and financial situations, especially for cancer survivors who are particularly vulnerable. Addressing the potential impact of treatment on employment and financial outcomes is important for survivors to navigate complex resources. Further research into cancer-related work outcomes is necessary.
JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sidsel Marie Bernt Jorgensen, Thomas Alexander Gerds, Nina Fons Johnsen, Gunnar Gislason, Mohamad El-Chouli, Stig Brondum, Thomas Maribo, Maria Kristiansen
Summary: Returning to work and maintaining employment after cardiovascular disease is crucial for working-age individuals. Individuals with heart failure have the highest probability of not returning to work, highlighting the need for effective vocational rehabilitation strategies in comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Garazi Ruiz de Azua, Isabelle Kousignian, Ines Vaz-Luis, Antonio Di Meglio, Elsa Caumette, Julie Havas, Elise Martin, Anne-Laure Martin, Ophelie Querel, Laurence Vanlemmens, Barbara Pistilli, Charles Coutant, Paul Henri Cottu, Asma Dhaini Merimeche, Florence Lerebours, Olivier Tredan, Christelle Jouannaud, Christelle Levy, Agnes Dumas, Gwenn Menvielle
Summary: A high number of breast cancer survivors have periods of sick leave or unemployment after returning to work. The determinants differ between sick leave and unemployment.
Article
Oncology
Anneke Ullrich, Hilke Maria Rath, Ullrich Otto, Christa Kerschgens, Martin Raida, Christa Hagen-Aukamp, Corinna Bergelt
Summary: The majority of localized prostate cancer survivors were able to maintain their work status three years after rehabilitation, with most showing continuous return-to-work patterns. Older age, low or middle socio-economic status, resigned and unambitious work behavior, and fatigue during rehabilitation were identified as prospective factors for not working at 36 months follow-up. Low socio-economic status and unambitious work behavior were the strongest predictors.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
K. S. Petersen, L. S. Madsen, C. Nielsen, M. Labriola, C. M. Stapelfeldt
Summary: The study found that working female cancer survivors experienced challenges such as losing their safety net, realizing changes in their life situation, and striving to balance work and everyday life during the process of preparing to return to work. These themes were interdependent and evolved over a span of approximately one to two years, suggesting the need for a continuous development of the RRTW construct.
WORK-A JOURNAL OF PREVENTION ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sidsel Marie Bernt Jorgensen, Nina Fons Johnsen, Thomas Alexander Gerds, Stig Brondum, Thomas Maribo, Gunnar Gislason, Maria Kristiansen
Summary: The probability of feeling pressure to return to work after cardiovascular disease varies depending on age, sex, and diagnosis. Vocational rehabilitation needs to be improved and cardiac rehabilitation programs should include all core rehabilitation components.
Article
Rehabilitation
Rory M. Christopherson, Joanna K. Fadyl, Gwyn N. Lewis
Summary: This study revealed that the actions of the workplace, healthcare providers, and workers' compensation parties can influence workplace supports, return-to-work expectations, and return-to-work outcome. These findings are crucial for work-disability prevention efforts.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Christine Maheu, Maureen Parkinson, Caitlin Wong, Fatima Yashmin, Caroline Longpre
Summary: Self-employed individuals with cancer face unique challenges that have not been fully explored in previous research. A qualitative study was conducted in Canada to explore the experiences of 23 self-employed Canadians diagnosed with cancer, generating insights into the impact of cancer on their health, work, and businesses. The study revealed four major themes and twelve subthemes, providing valuable information for developing interventions to support this population.
Article
Rehabilitation
Sidsel Marie Bernt Jorgensen, Nina Fons Johnsen, Thomas Maribo, Stig Brondum, Gunnar Gislason, Maria Kristiansen
Summary: The study highlights the need for vocational rehabilitation programs to be incorporated into comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs in order to identify individuals in need of support and to improve coordination of care across healthcare and social care sectors. This includes involving employers, healthcare professionals, and social workers in personalized return-to-work strategies.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Christina M. Stapelfeldt, Anne-Mette H. Momsen, Anders Bonde Jensen, Niels Trolle Andersen, Claus Vinther Nielsen
Summary: The study found that early, individualized vocational rehabilitation interventions for cancer survivors can improve the return to work effect for breast cancer patients, but within a one-year observation period, no significant difference was seen in the return to work effect across different cancer diagnoses when comparing this intervention with usual municipal RTW management.
Article
Rehabilitation
Ingrid Lindgren, Christina Brogardh, Helene Pessah-Rasmussen, Stina B. Jonasson, Gunvor Gard
Summary: The individual's ability to influence the work situation, adjustments and flexibility at the workplace, psychosocial support and knowledge of stroke, as well as changed view of work and personal priorities, play important roles in return to work (RTW) and staying at work after stroke.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Rikke Rosbjerg, Dorte Gilsa Hansen, Robert Zachariae, Christina Malmose Stapelfeldt, Inger Hoejris, Mathias Tvilling Rasmussen, Susanne Wiben Drysdale, Merete Labriola
Summary: The Danish 19-item RTWSE questionnaire (RTWSE-19(DK)) demonstrated good reliability and adequate validity in employees undergoing cancer treatment, showing correlations with cancer-related self-efficacy, work ability, and psychological distress. This tool may be useful for practitioners in identifying concerns in the return to work process of cancer patients in clinical practice.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Marietta Lieb, Alexander Wuensch, Katharina Schieber, Corinna Bergelt, Hermann Faller, Franziska Geiser, Ute Goerling, Klaus Hoenig, Beate Hornemann, Imad Maatouk, Alexander Niecke, Barbara Stein, Martin Teufel, Martin Wickert, Antje Buttner-Teleaga, Yesim Erim, Joachim Weis
Summary: The objective of this study was to compare working and non-working cancer patients over a 12-month period in terms of socio-demographic, cancer-specific, and mental health parameters. The majority of cancer survivors returned to work, while non-working patients reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and distress. After controlling for cancer-specific factors, mental health parameters were still independently associated with working status.
Article
Family Studies
Jenny Davies, Moira O'Connor, Georgia K. B. Halkett, Lauren Kelada, Nicholas G. Gottardo
Summary: Research has shown that fathers and mothers respond differently to a child's cancer diagnosis. This phenomenological qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of fathers whose children have been diagnosed with cancer and the impact of sociocultural gender roles. Twenty-one fathers whose children were receiving or had completed cancer treatment were interviewed, and five main themes were identified. This study highlights the profound impact of a child's diagnosis on fathers and the influence of societal-cultural norms on their experience of childhood cancer.
JOURNAL OF FAMILY NURSING
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Georgia K. B. Halkett, Elizabeth A. Lobb, Jane L. Phillips, Emma K. McDougall, Jenny Clarke, Rachel Campbell, Haryana M. Dhillon, Kevin McGeechan, Peter Hudson, Anne King, Helen Wheeler, Marina Kastelan, Anne Long, Anna K. Nowak, Care-IS Project Team
Summary: This study aimed to improve the preparedness and reduce distress of family carers through a nurse-led intervention. The complex intervention consisted of telephone assessment, resource folder, home visit, and monthly telephone support. The results showed that the intervention group had significantly higher preparedness for caregiving, but there was no difference in distress reduction.
JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Chandrika Gibson, Moira O'Connor, Rohen White, Melanie Jackson, Siddhartha Baxi, Dianne Sheppard, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Summary: The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors who returned to valued activities to understand how they reconstruct their lives following HNC diagnosis and treatment. A total of 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults diagnosed with any type of HNC in the previous 6 years. The findings revealed that some survivors were able to return to valued activities and experience internal and external change and development, identified by three themes: Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Adaptation.
Article
Pediatrics
Elise S. Alexander, Moira O'Connor, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Summary: This study aimed to investigate how children are affected by their parent's cancer diagnosis, from children's perspectives. Findings indicate that children experience considerable levels of ongoing worry and distress when a parent is diagnosed with cancer, and have difficulties comprehending and articulating this. They also feel a level of disconnection from their usual support systems and are limited regarding who they can seek out and talk to. Mitigating children's ongoing worries and distress by promoting the availability and accessibility of parents and other supports to children, and reducing communication barriers between children and adults, should be a primary focus of psycho-oncology research and practice.
Article
Oncology
Katarzyna M. Lion, Kerryn E. Pike, Haryana M. Dhillon, Eng-Siew Koh, Mark B. Pinkham, Joanne Shaw, Georgia K. B. Halkett, Tamara Ownsworth, BRAINS Program Invest
Summary: This qualitative study aimed to understand the specific psychosocial support pathways for people with brain tumors and their families from the perspectives of Australian healthcare professionals. The study found that there are challenges in fitting people into the existing care system, benefits of longer-term care coordination and interdisciplinary connections, and the impact of brain tumors on the whole family. Despite established psychosocial care pathways, service access varied and lacked continuity for individuals with lower-grade glioma and benign tumors. As a result, healthcare professionals recognize the need for improved access to care coordination and multidisciplinary psychosocial care tailored to the varying needs of people with brain tumors and their families.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Elizabeth A. A. Lobb, Georgia K. B. Halkett, Emma McDougall, Rachel Campbell, Haryana M. M. Dhillon, Jane L. L. Phillips, Anna K. K. Nowak
Summary: A survey of 25 caregivers of people with High Grade Glioma (HGG) revealed that one-third of them reported moderate to severe levels of anxiety, depression, and grief. The study emphasizes the importance of early and sensitive communication about prognosis, tailored information based on the disease stage, referral to psychological support services, and timely discussions about the preferred place of care and death for HGG patients.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Helen M. Haydon, Alethea Blackler, Anna K. Nowak, Danette Langbecker, Justin Collier, Georgia Halkett
Summary: An online intervention was developed to address the unmet needs of carers of people with high-grade glioma. The intervention showed high levels of usability and acceptability, and indicated a potential to decrease depression.
NEURO-ONCOLOGY PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Emma McDougall, Lauren J. Breen, Anna K. Nowak, Haryana M. Dhillon, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Summary: The scoping review aimed to describe the characteristics and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for managing personality and behavior changes in individuals with brain tumors. The interventions showed improvements in targeted symptoms and outcomes for both patients and carers. However, there is a lack of available interventions in this area.
NEURO-ONCOLOGY PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Tanya Morgan, Min Ku, Melissa Berg, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Summary: Continuing professional development (CPD) activities offered by the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) play a significant role in maintaining the competence of registered Australian medical radiation practitioners (MRPs). A survey revealed that while MRPs were satisfied with the quality and provision of face-to-face CPD activities, they were dissatisfied with the quantity of online CPD activities provided by ASMIRT. Online learning was the most preferred mode of CPD delivery, and younger participants had positive opinions regarding ASMIRT CPD activities and outcomes. Lack of time, lack of access and workload were identified as the primary barriers to CPD participation. MRPs in rural/remote areas were also dissatisfied with the availability, access, and adequacy of ASMIRT provided CPD and faced more barriers to participation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Haryana M. Dhillon, Georgia K. B. Halkett
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Industrial
Kelvin Taylor, Pieter Van Dijk, Sharon Newnam, Dianne Sheppard
Summary: This systematic review uses a systems thinking framework to analyze hazards and risks in the gig economy platforms and identifies the most common hazards at the company level, which are platform control and work insecurity. The study highlights the need to shift away from traditional research and intervention approaches that solely target individual incidents at the worker level, and instead develop a comprehensive understanding of the systemic factors contributing to safety outcomes in gig work.
Article
Pediatrics
Elise S. Alexander, Georgia K. B. Halkett, Blake J. Lawrence, Moira O'Connor
Summary: Children of cancer patients are vulnerable to psychosocial and behavioral issues, but the mechanisms underlying this are unknown. This study investigated the impact of a parent's cancer diagnosis on children and proposed a theoretical model to explain this experience.
Editorial Material
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Moira O'Connor, Georgia Halkett
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Rachael Beldham-Collins, Georgia K. B. Halkett, Kellie Knight, Val Gebski, Caroline Wright
Summary: Building research capacity is crucial for radiation therapists to integrate research into their core practices. This study aimed to identify areas where radiation therapists in Australia need extra research assistance, particularly in relation to the workplace and health sector. The findings showed that private sector and metropolitan centers require a higher rate of research assistance compared to others in terms of infrastructure and support.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Dianne M. M. Sheppard, Moira O'Connor, Michael Jefford, Georgina Lamb, Dorothy Frost, Niki Ellis, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Summary: More women are returning to work after breast cancer treatment. The 'Beyond Cancer' rehabilitation program was designed to support breast cancer survivors in their return to work. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the intervention from the perspectives of breast cancer survivors, employers, and occupational rehabilitation providers. Results showed preliminary efficacy for primary work outcomes and high acceptability and engagement. Further research is needed to demonstrate broader implementation with other types of cancer.
