Breast cancer patients' return to work (B-CARE): protocol of a longitudinal mixed-methods study aiming to explore medical and occupational rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer in Germany. Issue 12 (23rd December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hiltrop, Kati; Heidkamp, Paula; Kowalski, Christoph; Ernstmann, Nicole
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 9:Issue 12(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-23
• Subjects: breast tumours -- quality in health care -- return to work -- medical rehabilitation -- mixed methods; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: In recent years, research has been done on determinants of return to work (RTW) in cancer survivors and their long-term work outcomes. Nevertheless, little is known about the survivors' evaluation of these outcomes in terms of job satisfaction and voluntariness. Hence, B-CARE aims at filling the research gap by providing a longitudinal cohort study investigating medical and occupational rehabilitation including an evaluation by breast cancer survivors. Methods and analysis: A mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey with qualitative semi-structured interviews, is used to study breast cancer survivors 5–6 years after diagnosis. These data will be linked to data from prior waves of patients during hospitalisation and 10 and 40 weeks after hospital discharge as well as routine data from the German Statutory Pension Insurance Scheme and German Cancer Society if available. The actual survey focuses on determinants of medical rehabilitation use, RTW, subsequent employment patterns post care as well as the voluntariness of and satisfaction with job changes. Ethics and dissemination: A positive vote from the ethics committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn has been obtained. Data protection regulations will be adhered to for all handled data. Personal identifiers of participants will be pseudonymised. Dissemination strategies include a workshop to discuss results among stakeholders such as representatives of the German Statutory Pension Insurance Scheme, social workers and self-help groups. Trial registration number: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00016982); Pre-results.