Key result
Geographic and socio-economic disadvantage resulted in specific individual- and system-level barriers to employment for cancer survivors, based on perspectives from 56 participants.
Why the study?
Little was known about the work needs of Australian cancer survivors living with socio-economic and geographic disadvantage.
Cancer survivors living with geographic or socio-economic disadvantage face specific systemic and individual barriers to employment, highlighting the need for systemic changes to promote health equity.
Employment barriers for disadvantaged Australian cancer survivors warrant targeted support; leaves open effective interventions to improve outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Opportunities for cancer survivors' employment can both reflect and perpetuate health inequities, as employment is an important social determinant of health. Socio-economic and geographic disadvantage is associated with greater difficulty finding work, but little is known about work needs of Australian cancer survivors living with disadvantage. OBJECTIVE: This study examined survivor and health-care professional (HCP) perspectives on barriers experienced by Australian cancer survivors experiencing disadvantage when attempting to remain at or return to work. METHOD: Focus groups and individual interviews were held with cancer survivors (N = 15) and oncology and primary HCPs (N = 41), focusing on communities at risk of disadvantage. Participants were asked about employment barriers and facilitators in general and in the context of disadvantage. Themes were identified using framework analysis. RESULTS: Geographic and socio-economic disadvantage resulted in specific individual- and system-level barriers. These related to distance from treatment and support services and limited availability and suitability of work for survivors living with geographic disadvantage, and limited availability, security, and flexibility of work and previous unemployment for survivors living with socio-economic disadvantage. Identified needs included system-level changes such as public and workplace-level education, legislative and policy changes, and better access to resources. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors living with disadvantage experience limited access to flexible employment opportunities and resources, further perpetuating their disadvantage. Promotion of health equity for cancer survivors living with disadvantage requires systemic changes to support attempts to remain at/return to work. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study included cancer survivors and HCPs as investigators, authors and participants.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kemp et al. (2021) studied Cancer (n=56). Geographic and socio-economic disadvantage was evaluated on Barriers to employment. Geographic and socio-economic disadvantage resulted in specific individual- and system-level barriers to employment for cancer survivors, based on perspectives from 56 participants.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: