DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT

Data collected from a local cancer registry showed that there are 360 thousand new cancer diagnoses registered every year in Italy, and epidemiological data indicate that more than 50% of cancer survivors are of working age.

A systematic review conducted and published in May 2018 showed that in Europe, the percentage of cancer survivors who were employed at the time of their diagnosis and returned to work ranged from 60% to 92%.

These data only included North European nations, which emphasized the absence of information from South and Central European nations.

To address this lack of data, an epidemiological survey was conducted in the province of Reggio Emilia and found similar results to those observed in the European studies. The survey was guided by the Epidemiology Service of the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia along with Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine and the local cancer registry. We interviewed 260 patients who were diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and were employed at the time of their diagnosis.

The survey found that the 95% of patients returned to work, but half experienced difficulty in the process. Indeed, cancer and its treatments can lead to a range of problems that can negatively impact motor, cognitive and psychophysical skills.

The most common symptoms are tiredness, pain, fatigue, a lack of concentration or attention, memory difficulties and decreasing physical ability. These symptoms can be limiting and represent significant obstacles in the person's daily life as well as their ability to work.

Currently, there are no support programs to assist patients with the difficulties associated with cancer. However, previous publications emphasize that multidisciplinary interventions provide the best outcomes for cancer patients returning to work, particularly those that involve the participation of professionals with different specialties.

The broad and diverse range of action of the territorial Pathway, rehabilitative treatments and team members make Una Mano the first innovative project of its kind in Italy.

Una Mano is an organizational project that was created by social-healthcare professionals and aims to maintain patients' work status and facilitate their return to employment.

The project was developed by the Fondazione Manodori's announcement on WelCom1 (Community Welfare). The announcement promoted projects that were designed to minimize marginality and support patients.  

UNA MANO PROJECT - AIM AND PORPOUSE

This project was designed to preserve the working status of cancer patients and to help them return to work. As a result, cancer patients of working age are the primary beneficiaries of this service.

The difficulties linked to the return to work process after recovering from cancer are widespread among people who are able to maintain their job, and these difficulties could be obstacles to people performing their work.

With patients' consent, these difficulties should be shared with the employer to make sure they are sensitive patients' needs and to facilitate their return. This project is innovative because it is the first attempt to bridge the gap between the healthcare system and work place environments.

Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who work in prevention and rehabilitation to help individuals struggling with illnesses and to manage the difficulties that they encounter in their daily lives. The occupational therapists participating in this project are able to assess single cases and develop a rehabilitative program that is personalized for the patient and focused on their return to work. With the patient's consent, they can also intervene in the workplace to identify obstacles and find solutions.

Occupational therapists also work with other professionals to provide expedient care and develop the most suitable personalized interventions.

For these reasons, a territorial social-healthcare Pathway was created that was composed of the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, one union labourer, social cooperatives, voluntary associations, vocational and educational training bodies, professional orders and one chartered enterprise accountant.

The service offers a range of support including informational care, healthcare and social care support aimed at dealing with difficulties in the workplace and providing social security and welfare advice in addition to an orientation course for professional training and information in the event of debt.

The intervention is personalized and tailored to patient's needs and goals. Furthermore, oncological rehabilitation and interventions are addressed to facilitate psycho-physical recovery as well as social reintegration and participation.

SOCIAL-HEALTH CARE PATHWAY MEMBERS

Una Mano involves the participation and collaboration of:

Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale -IRCCS di Reggio Emilia and the local Order of Physicians,

4 Voluntary Non-profit Associations: GRADE Onlus, LILT Onlus, DarVoce Onlus, Anteas Servizi, Centro Sociale Papa Giovanni XXIII;

4 Vocational and Educational Training Bodies and Professional Orders: ENAIP D. Magnani, Società Medica Lazzaro Spallanzani, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia;

4 Social Cooperatives: Winner Mestieri, Koiné, Il Ginepro, Altra Tensione;

1 Union Labourer: Ust CISL Emilia Centrale,

1 Chartered Enterprise Accountant: BFMR and Partners.