Izhodišče: Delež oseb, ki zbolijo za rakom dojk v času delovno aktivnega življenja, narašča. Zdravljenje raka dojk lahko pusti trajne posledice, ki vplivajo na delovno sposobnost po zdravljenju, kar velja tudi za medicinske sestre (poimenovanje uporabljamo za vse poklicne profile v zdravstveni negi v Sloveniji), ki pogosto opravljajo izmensko in nočno delo s povečanimi delovnimi obremenitvami.

Namen: Namen raziskave je bil pridobiti poglobljen vpogled v doživljanje in izkušnje zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi po vrnitvi v delovno aktivno življenje po zdravljenju raka dojk.

Metode: Uporabljena je bila kvalitativna opisna metoda. Podatke smo pridobili iz delno strukturiranih intervjujev na namenskem vzorcu medicinskih sester, ki so se vrnile na delo po zdravljenju zgodnjega raka dojk. Raziskava je potekala poleti leta 2021 v Sloveniji, v regiji z visoko incidenčno stopnjo raka dojk. Podatke smo analizirali s pomočjo metode analize vsebine.

Rezultati: V raziskavi je sodelovalo pet zaposlenih v zdravstveni negi z zaključeno srednješolsko izobrazbo po zdravljenju zgodnjega raka dojk, ki so se vrnile na delovno mesto v povprečju po 19,4 meseca (od 13 do 39 mesecev). Udeleženke so bile vključene v raziskavo v povprečju 5,8 leta (od 2 do 10 let) po vrnitvi na delo. V raziskavi smo določili tri teme, ki opredeljujejo izkušnje udeleženk, ki so se po zdravljenju raka dojk vrnile na delovno mesto: (1) doživljanje ob začetku bolezni in med zdravljenjem, (2) vrnitev na delo in (3) podporni mehanizmi ob vrnitvi na delo.

Zaključek: Vrnitev na delo po prebolelem raku dojk v zdravstvu ni samoumevna ali lahka ter zahteva prilagoditve in sodelovanje vseh, ki so udeleženi v tem procesu: medicinske sestre po zdravljenju raka dojk, njenih sodelavcev in nadrejenih, pa tudi pomembnih drugih bližnjih. Pri tem je pomembna vloga neposredno nadrejenih in sodelavcev, ki lahko s svojimi dejanji ustvarijo podporno in razumevajoče delovno okolje za uspešno vrnitev.

Abstract (Eng)

Backgound: The number of people who develop breast cancer during their working life ages is increasing. Breast cancer treatment could be associated with permanent health consequences that finally affect the ability to work. This also applies to nurses with night shift schedules and increased workloads.

Aim: The aim of the study was to gain an in-depth insight into the experiences of nurses – breast cancer survivors after their return to work.

Methods: We conducted qualitative study using a descriptive qualitative method. The data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with nurses - breast cancer survivors who returned to work in health care system after recovering from early breast cancer. The research took place in the summer of 2021in a region in Slovenia with a high incidence rate of breast cancer. We used content analysis method to assessed the data.

Results: Five female nurses with completed high school education who returned to work after early breast cancer treatment were participating in our research. Mean time for return to work in healthcare system was 19.4 months (from 13‒39 months) after the diagnosis of breast cancer. Our research took place after mean time of 5.8 years (from 2‒10 years) after their returning to work. The following themes that define the experiences of nurses - breast cancer survivors who returned to work after breast cancer treatment were identified: (1) experiences at the onset of the disease and during treatment, (2) return to work, and (3) support mechanisms upon return to work.

Conclusions: The return to work process for nurses - breast cancer survivors working in healthcare system is not obvious and it is not easy. It requires adjustments and the cooperation of everyone involved in this process: the nurse, her colleagues and supervisors, as well as significant others. The role of immediate supervisors and colleagues is important. Their actions can create a supportive and understanding work environment for a successful return.