Factors associated with returning to work and work ability of colorectal cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The objective of this current study was to describe the status of returning to work and work ability of colorectal cancer survivors and identify the key factors associated with returning to work and work ability of Chinese colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was performed in 212 colorectal cancer survivors who have worked before their colorectal cancer diagnosis. We evaluated patient's return to work (Yes/No), work ability, and factors by questionnaires of the Work Ability Index (WAI), M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory for Gastrointestinal (MDASI-GI), and the Self-Report Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS-SR). Logistic regression analysis and linear regression were used to find the potential predictors with returning to work and work ability. RESULTS: Participants mostly 145 have returned to work (68.4%). Work ability and psychosocial adjustment of colorectal cancer survivors were at a moderate level. After completing treatment, the patient still had many symptoms, and these symptoms were distress to live. In the two models, survivors with higher family monthly income per capita and lower psychosocial adjustment scores were more likely to have higher work ability and return to work. Survivors with lower symptom distress were more likely to have higher work ability (r = - 0.038, p = 0.010). Survivors with higher work ability were more likely to return to work (OR = 1.193, 95% CI = (1.116,1.274)). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that symptom distress and psychosocial adjustment were significantly associated with colorectal cancer survivors' returning to work and work ability, which should be considered in future intervention research.

Factors Associated with Behaviors Toward End-of-life Care Among Chinese Oncology Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to describe the current status of oncology nurses' behaviors toward end of life (EOL) care in China and to explore the factors associated with oncology nurses' behaviors toward EOL care. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was applied and a convenience sample of 1038 oncology nurses from 22 grade A hospitals were recruited into this study. A general social demographic data questionnaire was administered, and the Chinese version of Nurses' Behaviors of Caring for Dying Patients Scale was used to assess nurse behavior toward EOL care. The total score ranges from 40 to 200 points. Data were analyzed with SPSS 26.0 software. RESULTS: Chinese oncology nurses' average score of holistic EOL care behaviors was 2.97 ± 0.59. Oncology nurses provide physical care most (3.81 ± 0.76), followed by family care (3.02 ± 0.86), and spiritual care (2.37 ± 0.67). Multiple regression analysis showed that a higher frequency of sharing EOL care experience with colleagues, in-service palliative care education, higher level of head nurse support for EOL patient care, more cases of EOL care, higher working position, and nurse's perceived high level of support were positively associated with behavior toward EOL care. These six factors explained 16.2% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: The results may help provide a basis for converting behavior for EOL care among oncology nurses and design interventions to better improve quality of life for EOL patients with cancer in China.