1. Perspectives on returning to work of multiple myeloma patients
- Author
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Hans Scheurer, Christine Bennink, Pieter Sonneveld, Marjolein van der Klift, Saskia F. A. Duijts, Hematology, Anatomy and neurosciences, Medical psychology, Public and occupational health, and APH - Societal Participation & Health
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,Qualitative interviews ,Disease ,Return to work ,medicine.disease ,03 medical and health sciences ,Return to Work ,0302 clinical medicine ,Oncology ,Work (electrical) ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,Health care ,medicine ,Humans ,Work ability ,Thematic analysis ,Multiple Myeloma ,business ,Qualitative Research ,Multiple myeloma - Abstract
Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare and incurable disease. Because new treatments improved survival rates, return to work (RTW) became more relevant to MM patients of working age. Also, (health care) experts may be confronted with specific obstacles in guiding MM patients' RTW. Therefore, we aimed to qualitatively explore perspectives and experiences of MM patients and (health care) experts regarding RTW and participation at work. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients (N = 9) and (health care) experts (N = 15). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes resulted from the interviews with patients and (health care) experts: (1) severity of diagnosis and treatment impact RTW, (2) step-by-step reintegration facilitates RTW, (3) meaning of work differs between MM patients and experts and (4) lack of tailored counselling by experts. Conclusion: Although MM patients' work ability may be limited due to the severity of diagnosis and side effects from treatment, most patients consider RTW important. Both patients and (health care) experts emphasise the benefits from early work ability assessment (in the hospital setting) and specialised RTW counselling, especially in those with physically demanding jobs.
- Published
- 2021