The impact on employment for rural cancer patients and their caregivers travelling to major cities for treatment
Journal article
Johnston, Elizabeth A., Craig, Nicole, Stiller, Anna, Zajdlewicz, Leah, Aitken, Joanne F., Ireland, Michael J., Dunn, Jeff, Chambers, Suzanne K. and Goodwin, Belinda C.. (2023). The impact on employment for rural cancer patients and their caregivers travelling to major cities for treatment. Health and Social Care in the Community. 2023, p. Article 6728504. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6728504
Authors | Johnston, Elizabeth A., Craig, Nicole, Stiller, Anna, Zajdlewicz, Leah, Aitken, Joanne F., Ireland, Michael J., Dunn, Jeff, Chambers, Suzanne K. and Goodwin, Belinda C. |
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Abstract | Purpose. A cancer diagnosis significantly impacts daily life, particularly for those living outside of major cities who must travel to receive cancer treatment. This study investigated the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on the employment of rural cancer patients and their caregivers. Methods. Cancer patients staying in subsidised accommodation lodges in Queensland, and their nominated caregivers, described employment status prior to diagnosis in a structured interview. Three months later, they answered several open-ended questions about the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on their employment. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to report and analyse responses. Results. Of 308 rural cancer patients in paid employment prediagnosis, 70% reported a change in employment postdiagnosis, with 62% of these patients no longer working. Many of those still employed postdiagnosis required extended leave, flexible working arrangements, and a gradual return to work, particularly for those experiencing ongoing treatment side effects. Of the 102 rural caregivers in paid employment prior to the patient’s diagnosis, 56% reported a change in employment after diagnosis, with 37% of these caregivers no longer working. Many caregivers were unable to work while at the lodge, except for those with flexible or remote work arrangements and low caregiver burden. Financial stress from loss of income and limited support in returning to work were common experiences. Conclusions. Disruptions to employment are common for people in rural areas affected by cancer. Support from employers is vital, including offering tasks that can be completed remotely or require less physical effort. |
Year | 2023 |
Journal | Health and Social Care in the Community |
Journal citation | 2023, p. Article 6728504 |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons Ltd |
ISSN | 0966-0410 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6728504 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85190116869 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 1-14 |
Funder | Cancer Council Queensland |
University of Southern Queensland | |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 29 Aug 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 17 Aug 2023 |
Deposited | 07 May 2025 |
Additional information | Copyright © 2023 Elizabeth A. Johnston et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/91vv2/the-impact-on-employment-for-rural-cancer-patients-and-their-caregivers-travelling-to-major-cities-for-treatment
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Publisher's version
OA_Johnston_2023_The_impact_on_employment_for_rural.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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