Work experiences of patients receiving palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center: Exploratory analysis Journal Article


Authors: Glare, P. A.; Nikolova, T.; Alickaj, A.; Patil, S.; Blinder, V.
Article Title: Work experiences of patients receiving palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center: Exploratory analysis
Abstract: Background: Employment-related issues have been largely overlooked in cancer patients needing palliative care. These issues may become more relevant as cancer evolves into more of a chronic illness and palliative care is provided independent of stage or prognosis. Objective: To characterize the employment situations of working-age palliative care patients. Design: Cross-sectional survey setting/subjects: Consecutive sample of 112 patients followed in palliative care outpatient clinics at a comprehensive cancer center. Measurements: Thirty-seven-item self-report questionnaire covering demographics, clinical status, and work experiences since diagnosis. Results: The commonest cancer diagnoses were breast, colorectal, gynecological, and lung. Eighty-one percent had active disease. Seventy-four percent were on treatment. Eighty percent recalled being employed at the time of diagnosis, with 65% working full time. At the time of the survey, 44% were employed and 26% were working full time. Most participants said work was important, made them feel normal, and helped them feel they were "beating the cancer". Factors associated with being employed included male gender, self-employed, and taking less than three months off work. Respondents with pain and/or other symptoms were significantly less likely to be working. On multivariate analysis, only pain (odds ratio [OR] 8.16, p < 0.001) and other physical symptoms (OR 5.90, p = 0.012) predicted work status; gender (OR 2.07), self-employed (OR 3.07), and current chemotherapy (OR 1.81) were included in the model, but were not statistically significant in this small sample. Conclusion: Work may be an important issue for some palliative care patients. Additional research is needed to facilitate ongoing employment for those who wish or need to continue working. © Copyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2017.
Keywords: palliative care; cancer survivors; employment; return to work
Journal Title: Journal of Palliative Medicine
Volume: 20
Issue: 7
ISSN: 1096-6218
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc  
Date Published: 2017-07-01
Start Page: 770
End Page: 773
Language: English
DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0478
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28562160
PMCID: PMC5704746
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 August 2017 -- Source: Scopus
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Sujata Patil
    511 Patil
  2. Victoria Susana Blinder
    116 Blinder
  3. Paul A Glare
    61 Glare