TY - JOUR
T1 - Views of breast cancer survivors on work participation guidance by general practitioners
T2 - a qualitative study
AU - Sarfo, Marie-Christine
AU - van Asselt, Kristel M.
AU - Frings-Dresen, Monique H.
AU - de Jong, Femke
AU - van Dijk, Nynke
AU - de Boer, Angela G. E. M.
N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by The Dutch Cancer Society (DCS), UVA 2016–8203 (2014–191). The funding body had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/12/1
Y1 - 2022/12/1
N2 - Background: Breast cancer survivors can be at high risk of having work-related problems. Previous studies suggest that GPs could discuss work participation with cancer patients and provide guidance. The aim this study is to explore the experiences and expectations of breast cancer survivors with their GPs’ role regarding guidance on work participation and return to work. Methods: A qualitative study with Dutch female breast cancer survivors was held in the Netherlands. Four focus groups with 25 participants were conducted and audio-taped. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Breast cancer survivors reported a wide range of experiences with guidance from their GPs regarding work participation. Patients who contacted their GPs with work-related issues felt listened to during the consultation. Some patients experienced very limited or no guidance, while others were intensively guided by their GPs. The guidance was provided in the form of counseling, psychosocial support, and referral to other health care professionals. When cancer patients experienced problems with reintegration in work, they expected GPs to have a supportive and referring role in work participation guidance. Conclusion: In returning to work, breast cancer survivors expect their GPs to play a supportive role, especially when they encounter difficulties in reintegrating. However, their actual experience of guidance received from their GPs varied, from none received at all, to intensive support provided.
AB - Background: Breast cancer survivors can be at high risk of having work-related problems. Previous studies suggest that GPs could discuss work participation with cancer patients and provide guidance. The aim this study is to explore the experiences and expectations of breast cancer survivors with their GPs’ role regarding guidance on work participation and return to work. Methods: A qualitative study with Dutch female breast cancer survivors was held in the Netherlands. Four focus groups with 25 participants were conducted and audio-taped. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Breast cancer survivors reported a wide range of experiences with guidance from their GPs regarding work participation. Patients who contacted their GPs with work-related issues felt listened to during the consultation. Some patients experienced very limited or no guidance, while others were intensively guided by their GPs. The guidance was provided in the form of counseling, psychosocial support, and referral to other health care professionals. When cancer patients experienced problems with reintegration in work, they expected GPs to have a supportive and referring role in work participation guidance. Conclusion: In returning to work, breast cancer survivors expect their GPs to play a supportive role, especially when they encounter difficulties in reintegrating. However, their actual experience of guidance received from their GPs varied, from none received at all, to intensive support provided.
KW - Cancer survivors
KW - Focus groups
KW - General practice
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Return to work
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85132130425&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01768-x
DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01768-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 35715735
SN - 2731-4553
VL - 23
JO - BMC primary care
JF - BMC primary care
IS - 1
M1 - 152
ER -