Return To Work Research Articles

Understanding the Needs of Young and Middle‐Aged Chinese People Who Have Experienced a Stroke Who Have Not Successfully Returned to Work: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe study aims to understand the return to work (RTW) needs of young and middle‐aged people who have experienced a stroke and to contribute to the development of supportive RTW services.DesignA qualitative study employing the phenomenological method.ParticipantsEleven young and middle‐aged people who have experienced a stroke participated in the study.MethodsSemi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted and analysed using Colaizzi's 7‐step method to identify and categorize the RTW needs of participants.ResultsThe analysis delineated four overarching thematic categories of RTW needs among the participants: self‐management needs, emphasizing the regulation of symptoms, health maintenance and recovery planning; social support needs, highlighting the significance of workplace accommodations, professional medical guidance, and emotional encouragement from companions and family; the need for information related to returning to work, which includes accessing resources on rehabilitation opportunities, labour rights and professional consultation services; and personal development needs, focusing on fostering self‐worth, identifying growth opportunities and acquiring new skills to adapt to changing professional demands.ConclusionThe diverse and comprehensive needs of young and middle‐aged people who have experienced a stroke underscore the importance of multifaceted support from healthcare professionals. This support should encompass medical, psychological, informational and skill‐development aspects and should involve enhanced communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to facilitate a successful RTW.Patient or Public ContributionThis study was designed without direct involvement from patients or the public in the development of the research question, the design of the study, or the conduct of the research. This decision was informed by the specific focus on qualitative experiences and perceptions of stroke survivors regarding their RTW journey, which relied heavily on personal narratives and subjective accounts collected through individual interviews. However, the insights gained from these narratives have been crucial in shaping the research outcomes, emphasizing the patient‐centred approach to understanding RTW barriers and facilitators.Reporting MethodThis study followed the SRQR checklist for qualitative studies as its reporting method.

After Returning to the Rural: The (Un)Sustainable Reintegration of Internal Migrant Workers in China

ABSTRACTThe return of internal migrant workers to rural regions following prolonged periods of employment in cities is an increasingly prominent phenomenon in China. Researchers have examined return migration patterns, but investigating the intricacies of the reintegration process demands more highly sophisticated measurement approaches and warrants deeper empirical investigation. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation framework is designed for assessing reintegration outcomes on three interconnected dimensions: economic re‐engagement, social‐rebonding, and psychological re‐affiliation. By applying this framework to the analysis of data from the 2014 China Labour Force Dynamic Survey, we find that approximately half of returnees meet the defined thresholds for successful reintegration into rural society. There are considerable difficulties associated with economic reintegration, which underscores the need to provide enhanced economic support mechanisms for returning internal migrants. The main socio‐geographical factors contributing to successful reintegration include being in the middle‐to‐late stages of the working age, male gender, living with a spouse, returning with family, having interprovincial migration experience, and extended duration of return. This study enhances the comprehension of the challenges faced by returning migrant workers and provides analytical instruments and perspectives that can be used to deepen the understanding of internal migration issues in China and beyond.

Return to work in young and middle-aged colorectal cancer survivors: Factors influencing self-efficacy, fear, resilience, and financial toxicity

BACKGROUND Return to work (RTW) serves as an indication for young and middle-aged colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors to resume their normal social lives. However, these survivors encounter significant challenges during their RTW process. Hence, scientific research is necessary to explore the barriers and facilitating factors of returning to work for young and middle-aged CRC survivors. AIM To examine the current RTW status among young and middle-aged CRC survivors and to analyze the impact of RTW self-efficacy (RTW-SE), fear of progression (FoP), eHealth literacy (eHL), family resilience (FR), and financial toxicity (FT) on their RTW outcomes. METHODS A cross-sectional investigation was adopted in this study. From September 2022 to February 2023, a total of 209 participants were recruited through a convenience sampling method from the gastrointestinal surgery department of a class A tertiary hospital in Chongqing. The investigation utilized a general information questionnaire alongside scales assessing RTW-SE, FoP, eHL, FR, and FT. To analyze the factors that influence RTW outcomes among young and middle-aged CRC survivors, Cox regression modeling and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. RESULTS A total of 43.54% of the participants successfully returned to work, with an average RTW time of 100 days. Cox regression univariate analysis revealed that RTW-SE, FoP, eHL, FR, and FT were significantly different between the non-RTW and RTW groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Cox regression multivariate analysis identified per capita family monthly income, job type, RTW-SE, and FR as independent influencing factors for RTW (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The RTW rate requires further improvement. Elevated levels of RTW-SE and FR were found to significantly increase RTW among young and middle-aged CRC survivors. Health professionals should focus on modifiable factors, such as RTW-SE and FR, to design targeted RTW support programs, thereby facilitating their timely reintegration into mainstream society.

Return to work in young and middle-aged colorectal cancer survivors: Factors influencing self-efficacy, fear, resilience, and financial toxicity.

Return to work (RTW) serves as an indication for young and middle-aged colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors to resume their normal social lives. However, these survivors encounter significant challenges during their RTW process. Hence, scientific research is necessary to explore the barriers and facilitating factors of returning to work for young and middle-aged CRC survivors. To examine the current RTW status among young and middle-aged CRC survivors and to analyze the impact of RTW self-efficacy (RTW-SE), fear of progression (FoP), eHealth literacy (eHL), family resilience (FR), and financial toxicity (FT) on their RTW outcomes. A cross-sectional investigation was adopted in this study. From September 2022 to February 2023, a total of 209 participants were recruited through a convenience sampling method from the gastrointestinal surgery department of a class A tertiary hospital in Chongqing. The investigation utilized a general information questionnaire alongside scales assessing RTW-SE, FoP, eHL, FR, and FT. To analyze the factors that influence RTW outcomes among young and middle-aged CRC survivors, Cox regression modeling and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. A total of 43.54% of the participants successfully returned to work, with an average RTW time of 100 days. Cox regression univariate analysis revealed that RTW-SE, FoP, eHL, FR, and FT were significantly different between the non-RTW and RTW groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Cox regression multivariate analysis identified per capita family monthly income, job type, RTW-SE, and FR as independent influencing factors for RTW (P < 0.05). The RTW rate requires further improvement. Elevated levels of RTW-SE and FR were found to significantly increase RTW among young and middle-aged CRC survivors. Health professionals should focus on modifiable factors, such as RTW-SE and FR, to design targeted RTW support programs, thereby facilitating their timely reintegration into mainstream society.

Integrated mental health care and vocational rehabilitation intervention to improve return to work rates for people on sick leave due to common mental and functional disorders (IBBIS-II) – results from a randomized clinical trial

Background More than 50% of people receiving long-term sickness benefits in Denmark have a common mental illness. At the same time, a significant treatment gap exists where less than 30% receive sufficient care for their mental illness. Methods The trial was designed as an investigator-initiated, randomized, two-group parallel superiority trial. Nine hundred participants with a common mental illness were randomly assigned into two groups: (1) IBBIS II, consisting of integrated mental health care and vocational rehabilitation, or (2) service as usual (SAU), at two sites in Denmark. The primary outcome was the difference between the two groups in time to return to work (RTW) at 12 months. Results There was no difference between the integrated IBBIS II intervention and SAU in time from baseline to RTW at the 12-month follow-up (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.16 (95% CI 0.99–1.37), p = 0.07), but there was a tendency that the IBBIS II group had worse outcomes on several exploratory employment measures, including time to return to work at 6-month follow-up (HR = 1.36 (95% CI 1.03–1.55), p = 0.02), and number of weeks in work at 12-month follow-up (incidence rate ratio = 1.14 (95% CI 1.04–1.27), p = 0.008). Discussion The integrated employment and health intervention (IBBIS II) was not more effective than SAU in any of the included vocational outcomes and may even have been inferior to SAU on certain outcome measures. Based on these results, it is not recommended that the IBBIS II intervention is widely implemented in countries with service as usual comparable with Denmark. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered June 16, 2020, NCT04432129. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04432129?term = IBBIS+II.

Factors affecting return to work in breast cancer survivors in Korea: a cross-sectional study.

Return to work (RTW) has been understudied in Asian women with cancer, despite the increasing number of breast cancer survivors (BCS). This study examined RTW among Korean BCS, exploring its associations with cancer-related fatigue, quality of sleep, mental adjustment, and psychosocial factors. This cross-sectional study recruited BCS from a hospital, a breast cancer support group, and an online community in Korea between July and August 2019. We collected data on levels of fatigue, fatigability, quality of sleep, mental adjustment, and quality of working life. The analysis included data from 135 respondents who were employed prior to their cancer diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Although all participants were employed prior to diagnosis, only 57% remained employed afterward. Participants who returned to work reported significant levels of subjective fatigue (102.48±39.84), physical fatigability (28.14±11.34), borderline poor sleep quality (8.57±4.11), anxious preoccupation (23.33±4.54), and low satisfaction with quality of working life (39.68±21.51). Marital status (odds ratio [OR], 3.34; p=.027), time since breast cancer diagnosis (OR, 2.85; p=.028), anxious preoccupation (OR, 0.89; p=.021), and quality of working life (OR, 1.04; p=.010) were found to be predictors of RTW, explaining 34% of the variance. It is critical to address RTW-related difficulties in Korean BCS, and future RTW interventions should target cancer-related fatigue, anxious preoccupation, and quality of working life. Physical and psychosocial support is essential for BCS and their successful RTW.

Rehabilitation Assessment and Intervention to Facilitate Return to Work in Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD), causes significant changes in a person's life and is often accompanied by complex emotional reactions which further cause a decrease in the ability to complete work responsibilities, lower wages, and increase the risk of early dismissal. Promoting a return to work (RTW) program after CAD will improve economic burdens and the quality of life. This review aimed to explore the RTW program in CAD patients focused on the impact of CAD on the patients’ ability to back to their previous work and rehabilitation management to fulfill RTW criteria. Methods: Articles published in the last 10 years based on PubMed and Google Scholar databases were reviewed narratively. Keywords used were “coronary artery disease”, “ischemic heart disease”, “cardiovascular disease”, “cardiac rehabilitation”, “return to work”, and “return to vocational activity”. Results: The impact of CAD on RTW includes a decrease in the ability to RTW and work performance as well as an increase in the risk of premature dismissal. Factors that influence the RTW ability in CAD patients are sociodemographic, psychosocial, cardiovascular risk, medical history, complications during hospitalization, and clinical characteristics. Efforts to facilitate this process involve a wide range of assessments and interventions. The RTW ability can be determined through objective assessment of cardiac function, including exercise capacity and left ventricular ejection fraction, the presence or absence of comorbidities, job satisfaction, and other assessments of general well-being. Interventions aimed at promoting RTW consist of an initial CR (phase II CR) and an extended CR program. Conclusion: The rehabilitation assessments and interventions given to patients with CAD have shown good results for RTW rates and the quality of work.

The return-to-work journey: experiences with communication and collaboration among employees and employers during long-term sick leave and return-to-work

Purpose To explore the experiences of long-term sick-listed employees and those of employers with communication and collaboration during sick leave and the return-to-work (RTW) process. Methods Previously long-term sick-listed employees (N = 9) and employers (N = 9) were interviewed about their experiences with communication and collaboration during sick leave and RTW. Thematic analysis, utilizing patient journey mapping was applied to analyze and map out their experiences. Results Three central themes emerged from the analysis: 1. Maintaining communication between employees and employers during early sick leave stages fostered trust and enabled discussions about RTW, lowering the barriers for engaging in RTW activities. 2. Organizing joint meetings involving employees, employers, and occupational health professionals (OHPs) helped align expectations and facilitated shared decision-making to navigate RTW. 3. Both employees and employers reported lacking knowledge of RTW legislation and feeling reliant on OHP guidance to navigate the RTW process. Conclusion Employees and employers underscored the need to be involved, supported, and well informed during the sick leave and RTW process. Both parties mentioned that early and ongoing communication, joint meetings with OHPs, and information on RTW legislation were important prerequisites.

Employer support for return-to-work after a prolonged sick-leave: evidence for Europe

Abstract Aim Employers play an important role in facilitating the return-to-work (RTW) of employees after a prolonged sick leave. However, the extent of employer involvement in RTW efforts is largely unexplored in an international comparative context. This study provides evidence on the diffusion of procedures to facilitate RTW after sick leave in workplaces across European countries and welfare regimes. Subject and methods Workplace practices are examined using microdata from the three waves of the European Survey on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER), collected in 2009, 2014 and 2019. The analysis is carried out using logistic models, accounting for economic structure and establishment size. Results Using the Continental countries as reference, the odds ratio for RTW support corresponds to 3.6 (95% CI 2.77–4.79) in Liberal welfare states and to 3.1 (95% CI 2.45–3.88) in Nordic welfare states. In Southern and Eastern Europe, the odds ratios are 0.3 (95% CI 0.25–0.36) and 0.2 (95% CI 0.16–0.26), respectively. Countries with high levels of RTW support display different combinations of legal obligations and/or incentives for employers to support RTW. While support increases consistently with firm size, no clear association across industries could be found. The observed patterns are stable over time. Conclusion Employer support for RTW varies greatly among countries and welfare state regimes, indicating that institutional settings and policies are key determinants of employer participation in RTW, particularly in smaller workplaces. The findings clearly indicate that there is substantial scope for policy learning and for expanding the support for sick-listed workers in Europe.

Understanding sustainable return to work during gender transition, a (mixed method) diary-based single-case study of a transgender woman: spiegel im spiegel

Background Psychosocial obstacles have been recognized as a significant factor in the return to work (RTW) for cisgender individuals with various health issues. RTW and sustained work participation of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people during socio-medical transition have been sparsely investigated. Transgender women face multifaceted challenges in the workplace, in life, in social relations, and regarding their gender-affirming healthcare. Methods To better understand sustainable RTW during socio-medical transition, we aimed to analyze the evolution of emotional-, psychosocial-, and RTW measures and chronological experiences during twelve months following (genital) gender-affirming surgery. Data from a mixed-method diary-based critical case study of a trans woman undergoing socio-medical transition was analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were integrated with longitudinal quantitative results of positive and negative affect, gender-affirmation, and work rehabilitation measures. Results show a fluctuating course of emotions, expectations, and confronting reality (and workability), which gravely impacted self-esteem and overcompensation behaviors. They show social isolation in an uphill fight against stereotypes and power dynamics in information flow whilst insecurely navigating the cisnormative work environment and healthcare. RTW sustainability seems to adhere firmly to gender affirmation, gender comfort, and individualized, dynamic, holistic support from several stakeholders. By integrating longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data, a patterned meaning analysis of lived experiences and reflections was found. Conclusion This study sheds light on the fluctuating dynamics of social relations and gender (dis)comfort at work and helps us better understand psychosocial obstacles in sustainable (return to) work and creating a person-centered environment sensitive to these challenges. Occupational health professionals should thus educate themselves on gender-inclusive care, address barriers to access, and empower TGD workers in a tailored manner while involving the immediate work environment and striving for diversity and inclusion among all workers.

Work participation after receiving multidisciplinary treatment or acceptance and commitment therapy intervention for return to work: long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial among sick-listed individuals with mental disorders and/or chronic pain

BackgroundThe return-to-work (RTW) process for individuals on long-term sick leave can be complex. Vocational rehabilitation may facilitate RTW; however, many intervention studies often have relatively short follow-up periods. The purpose of this study was to assess long-term work participation 2–7 years after the initiation of a three-armed randomized controlled trial aimed at RTW for individuals on long-term sick leave because of mental disorders and/or chronic pain.MethodsThis study followed 220 participants out of 402 (response rate 55%, 205 female) who had previously participated in a randomized controlled trial. They were allocated to one of three groups: multidisciplinary team assessment and individualized treatment (MDT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or a control group. The participants were followed up at two, three, four, five, six, and seven years after inclusion. The outcome, work participation, was assessed using registry data and defined as having the main source of annual income from paid work during the follow-up years.ResultsParticipants in the MDT intervention group were, to a larger extent, in paid work during follow-up in years four (9.0% points), five (2.5% points), six (7.6% points), and seven (4.1% points) after inclusion, compared to the control group. Participants in the ACT intervention group were, to a larger extent, in paid work during follow-up in years four (14.8% points), six (17.6% points), and seven (13.9% points) after inclusion, compared to the control group.ConclusionThis study, primarily involving female individuals on long-term sick leave, suggests that both MDT and ACT interventions can improve long-term work participation. The results also indicate some time-lag effect of the interventions.Trial registrationThe original randomized study was registered at the Clinicaltrials.gov Register Platform (ID NCT03343457); registered on November 15, 2017 (retrospectively registered).

4 Return migration, entrepreneurship and development in rural Kosova

Return migration has become very prominent a pattern in the migration trajectories of peoples’ mobility and thus increasingly researched, revealing a myriad of nuances and experiences. Mostly, the motive for emigration is based on the desire and goal to achieve a success which will prove fruitful upon return. However, the return is faced with different challenges which were/are being under the scrutiny of return migration theoretical explanations. Although Kosova is primarily known as a country of emigration due to its turbulent political history and ongoing economic challenges there are evidenced cases of voluntary return migration. In this paper I will bring experiences of several low-skilled returned emigrants in their villages of origin who established businesses upon return that resulted with certain degree of development and upward social status mobility at personal and communal level. The return of low-skilled workers in rural areas may be among the most challenging returns if considered limited opportunities these areas usually provide. However, new dynamics, especially in tourism potential, are emerging in rural areas. The cases in this paper are quite unique and serve as an illustration of different individual agencies of migrants used as strategy of return. About the author Lumnije Kadriu is a senior research associate at the Institute of Albanology, Department of Ethnology, in Prishtina. She is the author of two monographs: "Glocalization: Ethno-cultural Perspectives" and "Holidays, Family, and Homeland in the Practices of Kosovo Albanian Diaspora". She serves as a member of the editorial board for the journal "Gjurmime albanologjike: Folklor dhe etnologji", published by the Institute of Albanology in Prishtina, and for "Antropologji", published by the Institute of Anthropology and Arts Studies in Tirana. She is also a member of SIF (International Society for Ethnology and Folklore) and InASEA (International Association for Southeast European Anthropology). Her recent research interests focus on globalization, transnationalism and return migration.

Obstacles, Self-Efficacy, and Strategies for Returning to Work after Experiencing Burnout: Paving the Path to Sustainable Reintegration.

The objective of this study is twofold: (1) to better understand the Return-to-Work (RTW) process of employees on sick leave due to burnout by evaluating RTW obstacles and self-efficacy to overcome them, and (2) to investigate strategies implemented for maintaining employment following burnout. Fifty-one participants completed the online questionnaire titled "Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES)", and two focus groups were conducted with employees returning to work after experiencing burnout. All the ROSES dimensions emerged as potential obstacles to returning to work after burnout. Several were particularly challenging to overcome, such as Fears of a relapse, Cognitive difficulties, and Loss of motivation to RTW. Qualitative analysis of verbatim from focus groups identified eight categories of strategies for overcoming these obstacles, such as Work involvement regulation strategies, Identity and anxiety regulation strategies, Seeking care and support from professionals, and Cognitive and metacognitive strategies, among the most often mentioned. These findings pave the way for a more detailed analysis of the perceived obstacles individuals face during their RTW after burnout. Furthermore, the identification of strategies to overcome these obstacles may prove beneficial not only for the sustainable RTW of individuals, but also for the professionals who support them.

Whether perceived limb heaviness affects return to work among patients with ischemic stroke.

This study aims to explore the relationship between perceived limb heaviness and return to work (RTW) among ischemic stroke patients. We retrospectively reviewed the data of consecutive participants recruited in the CIRCLE study. Perceived limb heaviness was gathered from self-reported by 1-year follow-up. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the independent risk factors of RTW. A total of 209 participants completed the study. The participants were predominately 81.3% male, with a mean age of 51.24 ± 9.09 years. In total, 79 participants (37.8%) had returned to work 12 months after the stroke, 36 (17.2%) felt limb heaviness, and 67.9% had a son or 2 sons. The participants who had not RTW were on contemplation status, and those who had RTW were on proactive maintenance status. Logistic regression analysis showed that participants with 2 sons were independently associated with an increased chance of RTW (P = .016, odds ratio [OR] = 3.990). Participants who had perceived limb heaviness were independently associated with a low rate of RTW compared with no perceived limb heaviness (P = .009, OR = 0.235). This research finds that participants experiencing limb heaviness might lower the rate of RTW after 12 months. The other interesting finding is that participants with 2 sons might have a higher rate of RTW.

Work Participation after Medical Rehabilitation due to Mental Disorders: Representative Analyses Using Routine Data of the German Pension Insurance

The particular relevance of mental disorders for society and the economy is highlighted in the context of work participation. Based on representative routine data from the pension insurance from 2017, the aim of the study was to describe a group of psychosomatic rehabilitation patients recruited on the basis of selected characteristics, examine the return to work (RTW) rates, to assess individual progression after rehabilitation and to identify possible influencing factors. Work participation was operationalized both as a monthly state up to 24 months after rehabilitation and as a rate of all people who were employed 12 or 24 months and the 3 preceding months (stable work participation). For the analysis of the influencing factors on stable work participation, multiple logistic regression models with stepwise inclusion were calculated separately for the rates after 12 and 24 months. A total of 122,623 data sets were included in the analysis (including depressive episode (DE): n=28,497, 23.2%, recurrent depressive disorders (RD): n=42,573, 34.7%; reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders (BR): n=19,122, 15.6%; dissociative disorders (AS): n=9,716, 7.9% and somatoform disorders (SO): n=8,564, 7.0%). The mean age was 50 years, 64% were female. There were different courses depending on the indication, with stable employment rates after 12 months of 69% in the BR group; 62% in the DE group; 61% in the SE group; 57% in RD up to 52% in the SO group. Factors influencing stable employment after one year were the duration of incapacity for work in the year before rehabilitation, the existence of an employment relationship and a high income. Since the relevant changes became apparent in the first six months after rehabilitation, further support services for people with mental illnesses after medical rehabilitation should ideally begin as early as possible after rehabilitation.

Validating the Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation in a Population of Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation (CS-VR), a checklist based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), captures the work functioning of individuals requiring VR. By listening to cancer survivors' experiences and stakeholders' perspectives, the CS-VR-Onco of 85 ICF-based categories was obtained. The aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of the CS-VR-Onco by measuring this tool's ability to detect differences among cancer survivors in terms of perceived return to work (RTW)-related difficulties. A sample of 300 working-age individuals with a first diagnosis of cancer was selected through the local Cancer Registry. Of these 300, those employed individuals who had returned to work were deemed eligible. Through a guided interview, participants reported and described their perceived RTW-related difficulties using the terminology of the CS-VR-Onco. Frequencies and means were used to compare the results of (a) cancer survivors who reported having had difficulties with those who had not, and (b) cancer survivors who had undergone chemotherapy (CT) with those who had not. Of the 104 respondents, 35 cancer survivors (Group 1) reported having had RTW-related difficulties and CS-VR-Onco-described problems, while 54 reported no difficulties but did highlight some problems (Group 2), and 15 reported neither difficulties nor problems (Group 3). The categories of the CS-VR-Onco that were prioritized were similar across groups, but Group 1 had higher frequencies than did Group 2 + 3 in 69 categories out of 85. In the second comparison, 40 cancer survivors who had undergone CT had higher frequencies than did 64 cancer survivors who had not undergone CT, but this trend was not applicable to 23 categories of the CS-VR-Onco. Seven categories were not reported as problems by all participants. The CS-VR-Onco identified more problems in cancer survivors who reported RTW-related difficulties and differences between cancer survivors who had undergone CT and those who had not. These results contribute to assessing the preliminary validity of the tool.

My Money is My Blood, Do Not Waste It: A Critical Analysis of the Return and Reintegration Experiences of Ugandan Migrant Domestic Workers from Saudi Arabia

The study analyzed the return and reintegration experiences of returnee Ugandan migrant domestic workers from Saudi Arabia. It was grounded in a social constructivism paradigm, an interpretive framework that emphasizes how individuals understand and assign meaning to their world. A qualitative approach was adopted, utilizing a phenomenological research design to explore the lived experiences of returnees. Data was collected through unstructured interviews with 28 respondents, allowing for in-depth insights into their experiences. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, and concept maps created using NVivo version 10.0 were used to illustrate the findings. The study revealed that the return and reintegration journey for migrant domestic workers comprised three key phases: preparing to leave their employers' homes after the expiration of contracts, travelling back to Uganda, and reintegration into their communities. However, the research highlighted numerous challenges faced by returnees. Some employers forced workers to continue working under exploitative conditions, tantamount to slavery, by withholding their consent to leave. In other cases, employers failed to purchase the required return airline tickets, as stipulated by the bilateral labour agreement, in an effort to coerce workers into renewing their contracts against their will. Upon returning to Uganda, many returnees faced further hardships. They were often met with distressing revelations, such as discovering that the next of kin they had entrusted with their savings had misappropriated the funds. This financial exploitation, coupled with economic and social reintegration difficulties, led to significant psychosocial challenges for the returnees. To address these issues, the study recommends implementing measures to protect migrant domestic workers’ finances. For example, every worker should open a personal bank account where their wages and salaries can be securely deposited and saved, ensuring access to their funds upon return to ease reintegration challenges. Families and next of kin must be educated about the risks and consequences of misusing workers’ money, considering the harsh conditions under which these workers labour. Furthermore, local council members should enforce accountability by ensuring that family members who misuse returnees' funds reimburse the money, potentially with added interest, to deter financial exploitation

Return to work and its predictors among nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors in the early post-treatment period: A prospective, observational study.

This study aims to investigate return to work (RTW) status and identify its predictors in the early post-treatment period among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) survivors. A prospective observational study was conducted. A convenience sample of 209 NPC survivors were recruited from a tertiary cancer center in Southern China between July 2021 and March 2022. The research instruments comprised the Readiness for Return to Work Scale, M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory - Head and Neck, Work Motivation Scale, and demographic, disease-related, and work-related questionnaire. Return to work status and current job characteristics were assessed via telephone interview three months after completing treatment. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive factors. Approximately 31.1% of NPC survivors returned to work in the early post-treatment period. Logistic regression analysis showed that NPC survivors who were male, had one child, had higher family monthly income per capita, were in the stages of prepared for action-self-evaluation/prepared for action-behavior, and had stronger work motivation were more likely to return to work in the early post-treatment period. The RTW is low among NPC survivors in the early post-treatment period. Factors predicting RTW are complex under Chinese culture context. Healthcare professionals should prioritize the early identification of survivors with low RTW intention and provide culturally sensitive interventions to enhance their work motivation and readiness. These efforts are crucial to supporting NPC survivors in achieving successful early RTW.

Successful Strategies for Occupational Health and Safety in Small and Medium Enterprises: Insights for a Sustainable Return to Work.

The objectives of this paper were to summarize successful strategies in occupational health and safety (OHS) management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to explore their potential applicability for disability management (DM) and return-to-work (RTW) after work-related injuries. A scoping review was conducted, using a consensus-based iterative approach, and a consultation with stakeholders. Twelve databases were searched in collaboration with a specialized librarian, using keywords and combinations of terms. The reviewers identified pertinent articles, selected those which corresponded to the inclusion criteria, extracted data, and analyzed information using qualitative content analyses. A synthesis was presented to the stakeholders, and their comments on overall applicability of these strategies in the Quebec context of DM and RTW were detailed. A total of 638 references were retrieved from all sources, resulting in 37 scientific articles being analyzed. Four main strategies for improving OHS management in SMEs were identified: dissemination and exchange of information; transmission and acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities; using a participatory and collaborative approach; and considering the organizational context. Even if DM and sustainable RTW were sometimes mentioned by authors as important for OHS management in SMEs, specific strategies and implementation elements were not actually described by authors. However, different resources, structures, and activities, associated with one or more of the OHS management strategies described, through their different interactions between the various stakeholders, seem having the potential to act also in sustainable RTW. This review has provided an overview of strategies deployed to improve OSH in SME. The results invite stakeholders to a deep reflection on the potential application of such strategies to encompass sustainable RTW in SMEs.

Adapting to Uncertainty: Foraging Strategies in Dinoponera quadriceps (Formicidae: Ponerinae).

When searching for food, animals often make decisions about where to go, how long to stay in a foraging area, and whether to return to the most recently visited spot. These decisions can be enhanced by cognitive traits and adjusted based on previous experience. In social insects, such as ants, foraging efficiency has an impact at both the individual and colony levels. The present study investigated the effect of the distance to, capture success, food size, and the reward rate on decisions of where to forage in Dinoponera quadriceps, a ponerine ant that forages solitarily and makes individual foraging decisions, in laboratory studies. We also investigated the influence of learning on the workers' performance over successive trips to search for food by measuring the patch residence time in each foraging trip. Four scenarios were created that differed in the food reward rates, the food size offered, and the distances from the colony to the food site. Our work demonstrated that as a general rule, the D. quadriceps workers return to the place where a prey item was found on the previous trip, regardless of the distance, food size, and reward rate. When the ants did not capture prey, they were more likely to change their route to search for food. Our results also indicated a learning process for the routes of exploration, as well as the food site conditions for exploration. After repeated trips, the foragers reduced the patch residence time in areas where they did not capture food and quickly changed foraging areas, increasing their foraging efficiency.