Oncological rehabilitation and the aim: Return to work. Development and evaluation of an MBOR module for rehabilitation named “job perspective”

Abstract

Oncological rehabilitation also follows the aim return to work. But work-orientated therapies are only a rudimentary integrated part of rehabilitation (MBOR). The aim of our study was to design work-orientated therapies (MBOR module “job perspective”) for oncological rehabilitation and to implement them in the routine care. The development of “job perspective” was carried out after group interviews with rehabilitants in the rehabilitation team in expert meetings. After completion of the development and testing phase, the module was implemented in the routine care. For evaluation of the process operation and the content of the module, group interviews with rehabilitants and expert interviews were conducted. The interviews were evaluated by “category-led” text analysis (Mayring, 2010). Evaluation of MBOR module was in addition made by questionnaires for rehabilitants before and after introduction of “job perspective”. The participants were employed rehabilitants with cancer and work problems. The development of “job perspective” needs seven months. The module offers work-related therapies for different professions. The evaluation of the expert interviews showed that the development of “job perspective” in the rehabilitation team was positive. The evaluation of the group interviews with the rehabilitants and questionnaires showed that the module “job perspective” was considered practical. The assessment of work-orientated therapies was valuated positively after introduction of “job perspective” of the IG (60%) but not of the CG (11%) without the module (Chi 2 = 55.3, P < 0.001). All in all 86% of the IG but only 39% of CG evaluated their rehabilitation positively for integration into employment (Chi 2 = 56.9, P < 0.001). The aim “return to work” of cancer patients is a major challenge in oncological rehabilitation. Therefore “job perspective” was created with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. Rehabilitants appreciate the consideration of work-related issues in their rehabilitation process. The results also show the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork.