Berufsbezogene Beratung im Rahmen der Cancer-Rehabilitation-Support-by-Cancer-Counseling-Centers(CARES)-Studie

Cancer patients of working age usually face occupational issues from the time of diagnosis and treatment initiation onwards. In the CARES (cancer rehabilitation support by cancer counseling centers) study, counselors in outpatient cancer counseling centers (OCCs) were trained to support advice-seekers on occupational issues.

Who is making use of the counseling? What advantages and which optimization possibilities do advice seekers, occupational counselors, and allocators perceive from the counseling program?

CARES is a quasi-experimental feasibility study. Advice-seekers in 19 OCCs were included in the study before the counselors underwent training in occupational counseling (comparison group, CG) and after the training (intervention group, IG). Advice-seekers were surveyed in written form. This article reports data from the first survey at the start of counseling. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis.

The majority of all CARES participants (CG: n = 293/IG: n = 326) was female, and had a (technical) university degree. Sixteen advice-seekers, 11 occupational counselors, and 5 allocators took part in the interviews. The perceived advantages of the program included direct support and assistance with bureaucratic procedures, increased time capacities, and closing a gap in the care landscape. Options for optimization included counseling appointments in the evening or online.

Advice-seekers, counselors, and allocators perceive the counseling program to be beneficial, e.g., as an opportunity to refer patients in need of support with occupational issues and, thus, close a gap in care.