Abstract
BackgroundMany cancer survivors experience physical and/or psychosocial problems affecting return to work (RTW) and work retention. Current interventions on RTW lack evidence regarding effectiveness, while interventions for work retention are missing. Partners of cancer survivors may also experience work- and health-related outcomes; yet, these consequences are not well understood. Here, the protocol of the STEPS study is described. The study aims are to: 1) evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of a rehabilitation program for RTW and work retention in cancer survivors, and 2) assess health- and work-related outcomes among cancer survivors’ partners.MethodsIn a multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), 236 working-age cancer survivors with an employment contract will be randomly allocated to a usual care group or an intervention group receiving a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, combining occupational therapy facilitating work retention (e.g., energy management and self-efficacy training) and reintegration consultation addressing work-related issues (e.g., RTW planning and discussing workplace or task modifications with the supervisor). Alongside the RCT, a prospective cohort study will be conducted among cancer survivors’ partners (n = 267). Participants in the RCT and cohort study will be asked to complete questionnaires at baseline, and after six and 12 months, assessing work- and health-related outcomes. Generalized estimating equations will be used to assess intervention’s effectiveness, compared to usual care, regarding primary (i.e., working hours per week) and secondary outcomes. Also economic and process evaluations will be performed. For the cohort study, logistic or linear regression modelling will be applied assessing work- and health-related outcomes (primary outcome: working hours) of cancer survivors’ partners, and what factors predict these outcomes.ResultsThe study is planned to start in September 2021; results are expected in 2023.ConclusionCompared to usual care, the STEPS intervention is hypothesized to be (cost-)effective and the intervention could be a valuable addition to standard care helping cancer survivors to sustain employment. Further, it is expected that living with a cancer survivor has a substantial impact on work and health of partners, while specific groups of partners that are at particular risk for this impact are likely to be identified.Trial registrationDutch Trial Register (NTR;NL9094; 15-12-2020).
Highlights
Many cancer survivors experience physical and/or psychosocial problems affecting return to work (RTW) and work retention
Compared to usual care, the STEPS intervention is hypothesized to beeffective and the intervention could be a valuable addition to standard care helping cancer survivors to sustain employment
It is expected that living with a cancer survivor has a substantial impact on work and health of partners, while specific groups of partners that are at particular risk for this impact are likely to be identified
Summary
Many cancer survivors experience physical and/or psychosocial problems affecting return to work (RTW) and work retention. 64% will return to work (RTW) after their diagnosis [1], many cancer survivors experience long-term psychosocial (e.g., feelings of depression, anxiety, uselessness and loneliness), physical (e.g., fatigue, pain, nausea, menopausal symptoms and movement limitations), and/ or cognitive difficulties (e.g., changes in ability to multitask and working memory), possibly affecting their working lives [2, 3]. Despite these difficulties, work-related care is often not or not systematically provided to cancer survivors [4]. Few early intervention studies have been conducted to prevent adverse work outcomes and support work retention in cancer survivors [1, 9]
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