Patients’ worries about money, work and relationships during recovery from a serious physical illness or injury

BACKGROUND - It has long been recognised that patients have many concerns during illness (Tuckett et al 1985). Macmillan Cancer Support (2013) has drawn attention to the financial impact of cancer whilst research on injury (Kendrick et al 2012) has shown that self-employed patients may return to work sooner and less successfully than the employed. Notwithstanding these examples, there is comparatively little research examining financial, occupational or relational aspects of recovery. AIMS - This paper explores patients’ concerns about money, work and personal relationships during recovery from serious physical illness or injury. The analysis is drawn from an ESRC funded project (http://www.gettingbacktonormal.org.uk/). METHODS - Secondary analysis was carried out on 165 qualitative interviews collected by the Health Experiences Research Group, University of Oxford, and the UK Burden of Injury Study between 2003 and 2012. The maximum variation samples comprised 44 heart attack patients, 39 leukaemia patients, 37 patients admitted to intensive care and 45 patients hospitalised following unintended injury. Participants were interviewed between one and 23 years after the event. RESULTS - The financial impact of serious illness and injury was significant for most interviewees. Whilst some reported excellent support from employers, many found this to be short-lived and a third changed job, reduced working hours or took early retirement as a consequence of illness. Some younger patients received financial support from parents but older patients were reluctant to ask others for money and awareness of entitlement to benefits varied by health event. Serious illness or injury placed a strain on relationships and patients proactively managed reliance on others. DISCUSSION - The financial, occupational and relational impacts of serious illness and injury are significant and continue throughout recovery. Effects vary by socio-economic background, occupation and life stage. CONCLUSIONS - Patients’ concerns during recovery are rooted in the roles, responsibilities and resources that frame their everyday lives. References Kendrick, D., Vinogradova, Y., Coupland, C., Christie, N., Lyons, R.A., Towner, E.L. and on behalf of the UK Burden of Injuries Study Group (2012) Making a successful return to work: the UK burden of injury multicentre longitudinal study, British Journal of General Practice. vol 62, pp.76-77 Macmillan Cancer Support (2013) Cancer’s hidden price tag; revealing the cost behind the illness, London: Macmillan Cancer Support. Tuckett, D., Boulton, M., Olson, C. and Williams, A. (1985) Meetings Between Experts: An Approach to Sharing Ideas in Medical Consultations, London, Tavistock.