title: Physicians' perspectives on cancer survivors' work integration issues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore physicians’ perspectives on supporting cancer survivors’ work integration (WI) issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using vignette methodology, 10 physicians were individually interviewed. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and subsequently analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ontario.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 10 physicians participated: 5 oncologists and 5 FPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An inductive interpretive description approach was used to identify themes across the entire data set.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physicians primarily focused on patients’ medical needs and did not spontaneously address WI issues with them. Instead, it was their patients who raised WI issues, most often owing to insurance requirements. Physicians readily completed insurance forms to aid patients’ well-being, but they did not believe their guidance was empirically sound based upon their limited WI training; rather, they recognized other health professionals, such as occupational therapists, as being better equipped to address cancer survivors’ WI issues. Despite this recognition, referrals for WI support were not routinely facilitated owing to a lack of resources or knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Owing to a lack of training and time, as well as the belief that WI issues are not part of their mandate of care, physicians perceive themselves as ill-equipped to address cancer survivors’ WI issues. These findings underscore the need for enhanced awareness of cancer survivors’ WI issues and the need for accessible support services offered by duly trained health care professionals, such as occupational therapists, ideally working in a multidisciplinary team to holistically address cancer survivors’ unique needs.
authors.forename: Tricia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Roanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Paulette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guitard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D062707:Return to Work; D017741:Survivors