Quality of lifeFactors affecting attainment of paid employment after lung transplantation
Section snippets
Sample
We conducted this study in accordance with the guidelines of the Human Subjects Committee, approved by the Research Ethics Board of the University Health Network. We surveyed all surviving lung transplant recipients from Toronto General Hospital who met the study criteria (n = 190). The eligibility criteria included that 1) lung transplantation had occurred at least 3 months before the survey, 2) transplantation occurred at Toronto General Hospital, and 3) the individual was ≥18 years of age.
Demographics
A total of 117 lung transplant recipients completed the questionnaire, representing a 70% response rate. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 71 years (mean and SD, 51 ± 13 years) with 16.2% being of retirement age. Women represented 51% of the participants, and 72% of participants were married. We found no differences in demographics between respondents and non-respondents in these areas.
Education and health ratings
The majority (69%) of participants had completed at least high school or vocational training, and 25% held
Discussion
With recent improvements in long-term survival rates after lung transplantation, increasing attention is now being focused on quality of life that includes re-integration into society and the workforce.11 In the current study, 37% of recipients were able to obtain paid employment after lung transplantation. These individuals were more likely to be younger, to have higher education levels, to have higher self-reported health ratings, and to indicate that the potential to work after
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Cited by (33)
The impact of cystic fibrosis on the working life of patients: A systematic review
2022, Journal of Cystic FibrosisCitation Excerpt :Concerning work adjustments, the vast majority of UK employed patients (92%) required some schedule rearrangement, including getting time off for appointments, adjustment of hours (30%), or working in a flexible mode (54%) or from home (17%) [20]. Regarding LT patients, employment rates ranging from 40% to 72% have been reported over the 5-year post-surgical period [21,23-25,27], a percentage comparable to that found in the general CF population [24]. The 2019 retrospective study by Ochman et al. [27] demonstrated that among 20 LT recipients in Poland, CF patients had the highest chance of employment after transplantation (40%).
Long-term work participation among cystic fibrosis patients undergoing lung transplantation
2016, Journal of Cystic FibrosisHigh local unemployment rates limit work after lung transplantation
2016, Journal of Heart and Lung TransplantationCitation Excerpt :Analysis of unemployment at a different level of geographic aggregation may modify the findings of this study. In conclusion, an emerging consensus holds that LTx recipients should return to work when they are able to do so, with this action benefiting both themselves and society as a whole.6,7 We have demonstrated that high local unemployment rates pose a significant obstacle to employment among LTx recipients.
Lung Transplantation
2015, Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine: Volume 1,2, Sixth EditionPsychosocial Issues Facing Lung Transplant Candidates, Recipients and Family Caregivers
2012, Thoracic Surgery ClinicsCitation Excerpt :In the social domain of quality of life, return to work has been considered one of the main indicators of success of transplantation, although only 28% to 39% of recipients have been found to be employed posttransplant.27 Studies have shown that predictors of posttransplant employment include younger age, greater mobility, having had a previous occupation, having been off work for less than 2 years pretransplant, and having identified return to work as a main motivator for transplant.68–70 These findings underscore the need for psychosocial interventions that support recipients throughout the later-term posttransplant years.
Employment and work disability in adults with cystic fibrosis
2012, Journal of Cystic Fibrosis