The Impact on Employment for Rural Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers Travelling to Major Cities for Treatment

Johnston, EA; Craig, N; Stiller, A; Zajdlewicz, L; Aitken, JF; Ireland, MJ; Dunn, J; Chambers, SK; Goodwin, BC

The Impact on Employment for Rural Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers Travelling to Major Cities for Treatment

Johnston, EA Craig, N Stiller, A Zajdlewicz, L Aitken, JF Ireland, MJ Dunn, J Chambers, SK Goodwin, BC

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Publisher:: WILEY-HINDAWI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, 2023, 2023
Issue Date:: 2023-08-29

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Johnston, EA
dc.contributor.author	Craig, N
dc.contributor.author	Stiller, A
dc.contributor.author	Zajdlewicz, L
dc.contributor.author	Aitken, JF
dc.contributor.author	Ireland, MJ
dc.contributor.author	Dunn, J
dc.contributor.author	Chambers, SK
dc.contributor.author	Goodwin, BC
dc.contributor.editor	Chen, Q-W
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-17T03:39:21Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-17T03:39:21Z
dc.date.issued	2023-08-29
dc.identifier.citation	HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, 2023, 2023
dc.identifier.issn	0966-0410
dc.identifier.issn	1365-2524
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174691
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>Purpose. A cancer diagnosis significantly impacts daily life, particularly for those living outside of major cities who must travel to receive cancer treatment. This study investigated the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on the employment of rural cancer patients and their caregivers. Methods. Cancer patients staying in subsidised accommodation lodges in Queensland, and their nominated caregivers, described employment status prior to diagnosis in a structured interview. Three months later, they answered several open-ended questions about the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on their employment. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to report and analyse responses. Results. Of 308 rural cancer patients in paid employment prediagnosis, 70% reported a change in employment postdiagnosis, with 62% of these patients no longer working. Many of those still employed postdiagnosis required extended leave, flexible working arrangements, and a gradual return to work, particularly for those experiencing ongoing treatment side effects. Of the 102 rural caregivers in paid employment prior to the patient’s diagnosis, 56% reported a change in employment after diagnosis, with 37% of these caregivers no longer working. Many caregivers were unable to work while at the lodge, except for those with flexible or remote work arrangements and low caregiver burden. Financial stress from loss of income and limited support in returning to work were common experiences. Conclusions. Disruptions to employment are common for people in rural areas affected by cancer. Support from employers is vital, including offering tasks that can be completed remotely or require less physical effort.</jats:p>
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	WILEY-HINDAWI
dc.relation.ispartof	HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1155/2023/6728504
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1607 Social Work
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.subject.classification	4203 Health services and systems
dc.subject.classification	4206 Public health
dc.subject.classification	4409 Social work
dc.title	The Impact on Employment for Rural Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers Travelling to Major Cities for Treatment
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2023
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1607 Social Work
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-17T03:39:20Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	2023

Abstract:

Purpose. A cancer diagnosis significantly impacts daily life, particularly for those living outside of major cities who must travel to receive cancer treatment. This study investigated the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on the employment of rural cancer patients and their caregivers. Methods. Cancer patients staying in subsidised accommodation lodges in Queensland, and their nominated caregivers, described employment status prior to diagnosis in a structured interview. Three months later, they answered several open-ended questions about the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on their employment. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to report and analyse responses. Results. Of 308 rural cancer patients in paid employment prediagnosis, 70% reported a change in employment postdiagnosis, with 62% of these patients no longer working. Many of those still employed postdiagnosis required extended leave, flexible working arrangements, and a gradual return to work, particularly for those experiencing ongoing treatment side effects. Of the 102 rural caregivers in paid employment prior to the patient’s diagnosis, 56% reported a change in employment after diagnosis, with 37% of these caregivers no longer working. Many caregivers were unable to work while at the lodge, except for those with flexible or remote work arrangements and low caregiver burden. Financial stress from loss of income and limited support in returning to work were common experiences. Conclusions. Disruptions to employment are common for people in rural areas affected by cancer. Support from employers is vital, including offering tasks that can be completed remotely or require less physical effort.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174691