Facilitators and barriers to return to work and meet financial needs in parents of children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore what facilitators and barriers parents of children with cancer identify for their ability to return to work and meet financial needs. PROCEDURE: Nine focus groups (21 mothers; 11 fathers) were performed across Sweden in 2015 and 2019. A deductive content analysis approach was used. A preconstructed matrix consisting of 12 codes based on previous literature was used to organize the data. The codes were grouped into subcategories, which were abstracted to four generic categories. RESULTS: Facilitators for a return to work were covered in the category "Flexibility and understanding from employers and social services," and barriers in the category "Pressure to return without consideration of the consequences." Facilitators to meeting financial needs were covered in the category "Available public, private, and employer support," and barriers in the category "Lack of organized and efficient support from employers and social services." CONCLUSIONS: The identified barriers suggest that there is room for improvement in the provision of psychosocial support, which relates to a perceived lack of organized support regarding practical, financial, and occupational matters. The results show a need for a coordinated support system that includes major stakeholders, such as the health care, welfare agencies, and employers. Moreover, employers should consider how to implement more workplace flexibility and involvement of occupational health services. Importantly, to be able to return to work and achieve a sustainable financial situation, it is necessary for all stakeholders to recognize the long-term impact of parenting a child with cancer.

Sick leave among parents of children with cancer - a national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Due to psychological distress and an increased care burden, parents of children diagnosed with cancer may face a higher risk of sickness absence from work. The objective of this study was to examine the association of childhood cancer with parents' sick leave. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample comprised 3626 parents of 1899 children diagnosed with cancer in Sweden during 2004-2009, and a matched control group of parents (n = 34 874). Sick leave was measured as number of days with sickness benefit, retrieved from national registries. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to compare outcomes with parents from the control cohort. RESULTS: The risk of sick leave was statistically significantly higher up to six years following a child's cancer diagnosis. The increase in number of days with sickness benefit was most pronounced the year after diagnosis. Although mothers' sick leave prevalence was higher, the increase in risk relative to control parents was similar for mothers and fathers. Bereavement was associated with a heightened risk of sick leave, especially on the year of the child's death. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm that mothers and fathers of children diagnosed with cancer are at higher risk of sickness absence from work, with particularly pronounced risk among bereaved parents. Acquisition of further knowledge is warranted regarding possibilities and constraints of parents trying to combine their work life with caring for both their child and themselves.