Engaging oncology and occupational medicine to inform design of a Total Worker Health® intervention to address employment, financial, and well-being outcomes in cancer survivors

Objectives: Few Total Worker Health® studies and fewer interventions examine well-being in the work context of cancer survivorship. We investigated the possibility of occupation and oncology professionals working together to address employed survivors’ work-associated needs. 

Methods: We employed a community-based participatory research approach to examine the educational, contextual, and workflow needs of oncology care team members to inform intervention design. Focus groups were conducted with oncology care team members and occupational medicine physicians. Key themes from each group were then examined. 

Results: Themes included oncology care team’s role in helping patients navigate resources, providing psychosocial support, and educating patients. Major themes for ways to better provide employment-related support during treatment included referring patients to employment experts and providing education on employment support. 

Conclusions: Occupational health professionals in collaboration with oncology clinics could play an important role in assisting cancer survivors’ ability to navigate employment challenges.