Guidance by occupational physicians in the return-to-work of stem cell transplant patients; a qualitative research [Begeleiding door bedrijfsartsen bij werkhervatting van stamceltransplantatiepatiënten; een kwalitatief onderzoek]

Background:: Survivors of haematological malignancies have the greatest risk of experiencing problems in the return-to-work process. Facilitating and obstructing factors involved and the role an occupational physician (inside or outside the clinical setting) could have in this process were investigated. Methods:: Semi-structured interviews were held in eight stem cell transplant (SCT) patients. Data were analyzed using Atlas-Ti®. Results:: Experienced facilitators and barriers for returning to work are associated with work, the disease and its treatment, legislation, the (occupational) physician and the person and his or her environment. Many patients received minimal guidance from their occupational physician. Many felt that the occupational physician’s knowledge about disease and treatment was insufficient and the guidance was not tailored to the individual. Conclusion:: The patients have little knowledge of legislation regarding absenteeism and reintegration. The patients’ view on earlier involvement of an occupational physician varies. The occupational physician should give more explanation to patients about the role legislation plays in the counseling process. © 2015, The Society of Stichting tot Bevordering der Bedrijfs- en Verzekeringsgeneeskunde (SBBV).