Employment Aspirations of Individuals with Advanced or Terminal Cancer and the Role of Occupational Therapists: A Nationwide Survey of Designated Cancer Care Hospitals in Japan
- VernacularTitle:進行がん・終末期がんを有する患者の就労希望と作業療法士の役割：全国がん診療連携拠点病院を対象としたアンケート調査
- Author:
Hiroyuki ASE
1
;
Takuro SAKURAI
2
;
Hinako SEKIHARA
3
;
Akira TANUMA
4
;
Toshiyuki FUJIWARA
2
Author Information
- Keywords: advanced cancer; terminal care; employment aspirations; occupational therapy; questionnaire survey
- From:Palliative Care Research 2025;20(4):251-258
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to clarify the current practices of occupational therapy (OT) in addressing the employment aspirations of individuals with advanced or terminal cancer. Methods: A web-based questionnaire survey was administered to occupational therapists (OTs) working at designated cancer care hospitals across Japan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a qualitative descriptive approach. Results: A total of 278 OTs responded to the survey, of whom 119 (43%) had experience supporting employment in this patient population. The purposes of employment aspirations were categorized as financial reasons, social roles and responsibility to others, and self-realization or self-fulfillment. Agreed-upon goals included full-time return to work (32 cases, 27%) and part-time or reduced-hours return to work (38 cases, 32%). In addition, some goals did not lead to actual employment but reflected patients’ wishes, such as life review (7 cases, 6%) and simulated activities (7 cases, 6%). Conclusion: Employment aspirations in patients with advanced or terminal cancer are rooted in diverse psychosocial factors beyond economic motivations. OTs play a vital role in supporting these patients by respecting their wishes and helping set realistic goals that enhance quality of life.
