title: Factors influencing work functioning after cancer diagnosis: a focus group study with cancer survivors and occupational health professionals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cancer survivors (CSs) frequently return to work, but little is known about work functioning after return to work (RTW). We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of work functioning among CSs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three focus groups were conducted with CSs (n = 6, n = 8 and n = 8) and one focus group with occupational health professionals (n = 7). Concepts were identified by thematic analysis, using the Cancer and Work model as theoretical framework to structure the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Long-lasting symptoms (e.g. fatigue), poor adaptation, high work ethics, negative attitude to work, ambiguous communication, lack of support and changes in the work environment were mentioned as barriers of work functioning. In contrast, staying at work during treatment, open dialogue, high social support, appropriate work accommodations and high work autonomy facilitated work functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Not only cancer-related symptoms affect work functioning of CSs after RTW but also psychosocial and work-related factors. The barriers and facilitators of work functioning should be further investigated in studies with a longitudinal design to examine work functioning over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. h.f.dorland@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Dorland
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Abma
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C A M
authors.initials: CAM
authors.lastname: Roelen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Psychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Smink
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Psychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ranchor
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bültmann
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016272:Occupational Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Cancer; Occupational rehabilitation; Qualitative research; Supportive care; Work functioning