AIM: To examine the current RTW status among young and middle-aged CRC survivors and to analyze the impact of RTW self-efficacy (RTW-SE), fear of progression (FoP), eHealth literacy (eHL), family resilience (FR), and financial toxicity (FT) on their RTW outcomes.
METHODS: A cross-sectional investigation was adopted in this study. From September 2022 to February 2023, a total of 209 participants were recruited through a convenience sampling method from the gastrointestinal surgery department of a class A tertiary hospital in Chongqing. The investigation utilized a general information questionnaire alongside scales assessing RTW-SE, FoP, eHL, FR, and FT. To analyze the factors that influence RTW outcomes among young and middle-aged CRC survivors, Cox regression modeling and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used.
RESULTS: A total of 43.54% of the participants successfully returned to work, with an average RTW time of 100 days. Cox regression univariate analysis revealed that RTW-SE, FoP, eHL, FR, and FT were significantly different between the non-RTW and RTW groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Cox regression multivariate analysis identified per capita family monthly income, job type, RTW-SE, and FR as independent influencing factors for RTW (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The RTW rate requires further improvement. Elevated levels of RTW-SE and FR were found to significantly increase RTW among young and middle-aged CRC survivors. Health professionals should focus on modifiable factors, such as RTW-SE and FR, to design targeted RTW support programs, thereby facilitating their timely reintegration into mainstream society.