Evaluation method and system for professional support demand of cancer survivors for resuming work

Abstract

The invention relates to an evaluation method and system for the professional support demand of cancer survivors to return to work, and the method comprises the following steps: constructing an evaluation system which comprises four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotion support and social resource mobilization; and reliability and validity test: through item analysis, validity test and reliability test, the scientificity and practicability of the evaluation system are ensured. According to the invention, professional support requirements of cancer survivors in the process of returning to work can be accurately identified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical assessment tools, and in particular to a method and system for assessing the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work. Background Technology

[0002] With advancements in medical technology, the number of cancer survivors continues to increase, with approximately 60% of survivors able to return to work after a cancer diagnosis. Studies have shown that returning to work benefits the physical and mental health of cancer survivors, effectively reduces their financial burden, and helps them realize their self-worth; it is seen by survivors as an important symbol of complete recovery.

[0003] However, cancer survivors face numerous challenges in returning to work. Research reveals that side effects such as fatigue from treatment weaken their work capacity; fear of disease relapse triggers anxiety and withdrawal; and overprotective family relationships and employers' lack of flexible work arrangements create double barriers. To address these challenges, scholars have developed multi-dimensional professional support systems for returning to work. Wienert et al.'s professional support program integrates career assessment, functional training, psychological support, and social services, precisely addressing survivors' specific career needs and current abilities through regular meetings. Vanegmond et al. focused on personalized return-to-work planning, providing customized career guidance and adaptation courses. This program not only includes tailored career guidance programs but also actively guides participants to join a series of work-related coaching courses. Thijs's physical rehabilitation program incorporates endurance and resistance training, which has been empirically shown to improve the work capacity of cancer survivors and increase paid work hours. Furthermore, the team led by Leensen innovatively integrated multi-dimensional interventions of exercise rehabilitation and career guidance, including guidance from oncology occupational physicians, rehabilitation specialist training, and personalized consultation. This model has gained high recognition from both doctors and patients. Finally, Zhang Mengyao developed a program to improve the readiness to return to work for young and middle-aged lymphoma survivors in China. The results showed that the program could improve survivors' readiness to return to work and self-efficacy, enhance their subjective perception of work ability, and effectively improve their quality of life.

[0004] Despite the significant effectiveness of professional support systems for returning to work, current support for cancer survivors remains mismatched with their needs. Research indicates that the return-to-work needs of cancer survivors are easily overlooked during treatment and rehabilitation, primarily due to heavy workloads and limited time resources for healthcare professionals. This makes it difficult to understand the professional support needs of cancer survivors within a limited timeframe, resulting in insufficient precision in personalized return-to-work support and a lack of continuity in support services. Therefore, healthcare professionals urgently need a tool that can efficiently assess the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work. However, a systematic review of the literature reveals that existing assessment tools primarily focus on post-treatment work capacity recovery dimensions (such as self-efficacy and adaptability assessments), lacking tools for a detailed assessment of the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work. This, to some extent, increases the difficulty for healthcare professionals to meet the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to introduce social support theory, which systematically defines professional support as comprehensive and in-depth assistance and support for cancer survivors, encompassing medical services, resource provision, and care services. This aligns closely with the diverse needs of cancer survivors returning to work. Accordingly, this invention translates the theory into actionable assessment dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization. It develops and validates a localized professional support needs assessment system for cancer survivors returning to work, providing a scientific basis for medical personnel to accurately identify the professional support needs of survivors and formulate personalized intervention strategies.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for assessing the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Construct an assessment system that includes four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization.

[0008] Reliability and validity testing, through item analysis, validity testing, and reliability testing, ensures the scientific validity and practicality of the assessment system.

[0009] Furthermore, the specific steps for constructing the evaluation system are as follows: based on social support theory, a preliminary draft of the evaluation system is formed through literature review, qualitative research, Delphi expert consultation, and pre-survey.

[0010] Furthermore, in constructing the evaluation system,

[0011] Disease information support, including assessment of cancer survivors' access to cutting-edge information on disease treatment and information support for the prevention of recurrence and metastasis;

[0012] Work support, including assessing the needs of cancer survivors for jobs and work intensity that are suitable for their physical condition;

[0013] Emotional support, including assessing the psychological and emotional support needs of cancer survivors as they return to work;

[0014] Mobilizing social resources includes assessing the needs of cancer survivors for family support and the establishment of social platforms.

[0015] Furthermore, in the reliability and validity testing, the critical ratio method and correlation coefficient method were used to screen items to ensure the discrimination and representativeness of the evaluation system items.

[0016] Furthermore, the validity tests in the reliability and validity tests include content validity, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis;

[0017] The construct validity and content validity of the assessment system were verified through expert evaluation and factor analysis.

[0018] Furthermore, reliability testing in reliability and validity testing includes internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability;

[0019] The internal consistency and stability of the system are evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and intragroup correlation coefficient.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, an assessment system for the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work is provided, characterized in that the system comprises: an assessment system and a reliability and validity testing module;

[0021] The assessment system is used to construct an assessment system that includes four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization.

[0022] The reliability and validity testing module ensures the scientific validity and practicality of the assessment system through item analysis, validity testing, and reliability testing.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute the assessment method for the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, comprising a processor and the aforementioned storage medium, wherein the processor executes instructions in the storage medium.

[0025] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention provides a comprehensive and detailed assessment tool that can accurately identify the professional support needs of cancer survivors in the process of returning to work.

[0026] This provides a scientific basis for medical staff to develop personalized intervention strategies, which helps improve the success rate of cancer survivors returning to work and their quality of life.

[0027] The evaluation system was constructed in a scientific and rigorous manner, and the reliability and validity testing methods were reliable, ensuring the accuracy and practicality of the evaluation results. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a diagram of a confirmatory factor analysis model of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To better understand the technical content of this invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of this invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate numerous illustrative embodiments. The embodiments of this invention are not limited to those shown in the drawings. It should be understood that this invention is implemented through any of the various concepts and embodiments described above, as well as the concepts and embodiments described in detail below, because the concepts and embodiments disclosed in this invention are not limited to any particular implementation. Furthermore, some aspects of this invention can be used alone or in any suitable combination with other aspects disclosed in this invention.

[0032] Example 1: As Figure 1 The method includes the following steps:

[0033] Assessment System Construction: Based on social support theory, an initial draft of the assessment system was developed through methods such as literature review, qualitative research, Delphi expert consultation, and pre-survey. The system includes four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization, totaling 20 items.

[0034] Disease information support: Assess the needs of cancer survivors for cutting-edge information on disease treatment, prevention of recurrence and metastasis, etc.

[0035] Work support: Assess the needs of cancer survivors for jobs, workloads, and other aspects that are suitable for their physical condition.

[0036] Emotional support: Assess the needs of cancer survivors for psychological support and emotional support during their return to work.

[0037] Mobilizing social resources: Assessing the needs of cancer survivors for family support, social platform building, and other aspects.

[0038] Reliability and validity testing: The scientific validity and practicality of the assessment system are ensured through item analysis, validity testing (content validity, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis) and reliability testing (internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability).

[0039] Project Analysis: The critical ratio method and correlation coefficient method were used to screen items to ensure the discrimination and representativeness of the evaluation system items.

[0040] Validity testing: The construct validity and content validity of the evaluation system are verified through methods such as expert evaluation and factor analysis.

[0041] Reliability testing: Cronbach's α coefficient and within-group correlation coefficient were used to assess the internal consistency and stability of the system. Evaluation of the system construction process:

[0042] Literature Review: This review systematically examines domestic and international research literature on the support needs for cancer survivors returning to work, clarifying the theoretical basis and research directions for the assessment system.

[0043] Qualitative research: Through semi-structured interviews and other methods, we gain a deeper understanding of the actual needs and challenges faced by cancer survivors in returning to work.

[0044] Delphi experts have requested that experts in oncology, psychology, sociology, and other fields review and revise the initial draft of the assessment system to ensure its scientific validity and practicality.

[0045] Preliminary survey: Conduct a preliminary survey on a small scale to collect feedback from cancer survivors on the assessment system, and further optimize the assessment system items and structure.

[0046] Reliability and validity testing process:

[0047] Project Analysis: Conduct project analysis on the initial draft of the evaluation system, select items with good differentiation and strong representativeness, and form the formal evaluation system.

[0048] Validity testing:

[0049] Content validity: Oncology experts were invited to evaluate the relevance of each item in the assessment system to its respective dimension to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the assessment system content.

[0050] As shown in Table 1, exploratory factor analysis: factor analysis was performed on the formal evaluation system to extract common factors and verify the structural validity of the evaluation system.

[0051] As shown in Table 2, confirmatory factor analysis: the maximum likelihood estimation method was used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis to verify the theoretical structure of the evaluation system and evaluate the model's fit index.

[0052] Reliability test:

[0053] Internal consistency reliability: Cronbach's α coefficient is used to test the internal consistency reliability of the evaluation system to ensure the homogeneity of the evaluation system items.

[0054] Test-retest reliability: The stability of the system was assessed by retesting some cancer survivors and using intraclass correlation coefficients.

[0055] Evaluation system application examples:

[0056] Needs assessment: Apply the assessment system to cancer survivors to collect data on their needs for professional support to return to work.

[0057] Develop intervention strategies: Based on the results of the system evaluation, medical staff can develop personalized intervention strategies, such as providing disease information consultation, work adaptation guidance, and psychological support.

[0058] Improving service quality: By evaluating the application and feedback of the system, we continuously optimize the allocation of medical resources and service processes to improve the success rate of cancer survivors returning to work and their quality of life.

[0059] Table 1. Rotated factor loading matrix of exploratory factor analysis (n=269)

[0060]

[0061]

[0062] Table 2. Results of confirmatory factor analysis

[0063]

[0064]

[0065] An assessment system for the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work, characterized in that the system comprises: an assessment system and a reliability and validity testing module;

[0066] The assessment system is used to construct an assessment system that includes four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization.

[0067] The reliability and validity testing module ensures the scientific validity and practicality of the assessment system through item analysis, validity testing, and reliability testing.

[0068] Example 2:

[0069] The computer-readable storage medium of this embodiment stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in the method for assessing the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work in Embodiment 1.

[0070] The computer-readable storage medium in this embodiment can be an internal storage unit of the terminal, such as the terminal's hard disk or memory; the computer-readable storage medium in this embodiment can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart memory card, secure digital card, flash memory card, etc. equipped on the terminal; furthermore, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the terminal's internal storage unit and external storage devices.

[0071] The computer-readable storage medium of this embodiment is used to store computer programs and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0072] Example 3:

[0073] The computer device of this embodiment includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, it implements the steps of the method for assessing the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work according to Embodiment 1.

[0074] In this embodiment, the processor can be a central processing unit, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, off-the-shelf programmable gate arrays or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The memory can include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory can also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory can also store device type information.

[0075] Those skilled in the art will understand that the content disclosed in the embodiments can be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Therefore, this solution can take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this solution can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0076] This solution is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods and computer program products according to embodiments of this solution. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0077] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0078] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), or random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0080] The examples described herein are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the concept and scope of the invention. Any modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the invention without departing from the design concept of the invention should fall within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for assessing the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Construct an assessment system that includes four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization. Reliability and validity testing, through item analysis, validity testing, and reliability testing, ensures the scientific validity and practicality of the assessment system.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific steps for constructing the evaluation system are as follows: based on social support theory, a preliminary draft of the evaluation system is formed through literature review, qualitative research, Delphi expert consultation, and pre-survey.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, In constructing an evaluation system, Disease information support, including assessment of cancer survivors' access to cutting-edge information on disease treatment and information support for the prevention of recurrence and metastasis; Work support, including assessing the needs of cancer survivors for jobs and work intensity that are suitable for their physical condition; Emotional support, including assessing the psychological and emotional support needs of cancer survivors as they return to work; Mobilizing social resources includes assessing the needs of cancer survivors for family support and the establishment of social platforms.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the reliability and validity testing, the critical ratio method and correlation coefficient method were used to screen items to ensure the discrimination and representativeness of the evaluation system items.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Reliability and validity testing includes validity testing, such as content validity, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. The construct validity and content validity of the assessment system were verified through expert evaluation and factor analysis.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Reliability testing in reliability and validity testing includes internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability; The internal consistency and stability of the system are evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and intragroup correlation coefficient.

7. An assessment system for the professional support needs of cancer survivors returning to work, characterized in that, The system includes: an evaluation system and a reliability and validity testing module; The assessment system is used to construct an assessment system that includes four dimensions: disease information support, work support, emotional support, and social resource mobilization. The reliability and validity testing module ensures the scientific validity and practicality of the assessment system through item analysis, validity testing, and reliability testing.

8. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores instructions, which, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute the tunnel dome deformation monitoring method as described in claims 1-6.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and the storage medium of claim 8, wherein the processor executes instructions in the storage medium.

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