title: Use of an employment advisory service by cancer survivors.
abstract: Employment issues for cancer survivors (CS) were investigated from the perspective of Northern Ireland government general employment advisors. An e-survey was designed and developed based on the results of a scoping search of journal articles, previously validated questionnaires and relevant related surveys; discussions of draft versions of the e-survey and method with lead representatives of stakeholder organizations; and a pilot study with seven prospective respondents. The e-survey and subsequent reminder to employment advisors were distributed internally by the government employment advisory agency. The e-survey was completed by 78/156 (50%) advisors, the majority of whom (74%) received a request for advice in the last year from at least one CS. Most CS used the employment service less than 1 year (52%) or 1 year or more after treatment (32%). Fatigue was the most commonly reported barrier to returning to work (10%) and staying in work (14%), and a supportive employer was the top facilitating factor in returning to (21%) and continuing in (27%), employment. Although most advisors had a positive attitude about a CS's capacity to return to work, half were uncertain about how best to advise cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: a UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland), School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Emma R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D004651:Employment; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009660:Northern Ireland; D062707:Return to Work; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: barriers; cancer survivors; employment; facilitators