Key result
Personal barriers, particularly affective and physical factors, along with a lack of or contradictory guidance from healthcare professionals, were the most frequently reported obstacles to returning to work after coronary bypass surgery.
Why the study?
Coronary artery bypass grafting carries a considerable financial burden on society including sick leave, prompting exploration of barriers obstructing return to work after surgery.
Return to work after CABG is hindered by personal, healthcare, work, and regulatory barriers, highlighting the potential need for early, coordinated case management.
May inform RTW support after CABG; leaves open whether targeted interventions improve return-to-work rates.
Purpose Coronary artery bypass grafting is the most frequently performed cardiac surgical procedure. Despite its benefits on survival and quality of life, it is associated with a considerable financial burden on society including sick leave. Our study aimed to explore the barriers that obstruct return to work after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods We performed a qualitative study with in-depth interviewing of patients 6 months after their surgery. We included ten working patients and interviewed them and their spouses at home. The interviews were transcribed and two investigators independently searched the transcriptions for barriers that had obstructed return to work. Results Based on the interviews we were able to distinguish four main groups of barriers: 'personal', 'healthcare', 'work' and 'law & regulation.' The personal barriers were subgrouped in affective, physical, cognitive, social and individually determined factors. Conclusion In a qualitative study we showed that personal barriers as well as barriers regarding healthcare, work and law & regulation, were perceived by patients as important factors obstructing return to work after coronary artery bypass grafting. To overcome the identified barriers, the process of return to work could preferably be initiated during the hospital phase, started during cardiac rehabilitation, and coordinated by a case-managing professional.
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Blokzijl et al. (2020) studied Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=10). Return to work after coronary artery bypass grafting was evaluated on Barriers obstructing return to work. Personal barriers, particularly affective and physical factors, along with a lack of or contradictory guidance from healthcare professionals, were the most frequently reported obstacles to returning to work after coronary bypass surgery.
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