Endocrine Abstracts

Purpose

As the majority of patients with pituitary disease are of working age, their health situation may negatively impact their functioning at work. However, work participation can also be influenced by contextual (environmental and personal) factors. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the perspective of patients with pituitary disease on their functioning at work and on contextual factors contributing to work-related problems, using the expanded International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods

Semi-structured interviews, focusing on contextual factors influencing work ability and experience, were conducted with eight patients with different types of pituitary adenomas (Cushing’s disease, prolactinoma, acromegaly, non-functioning adenoma). Following the steps of an experiential thematic analysis, forty categories were identified, which were organized into eleven themes according to the expanded ICF.

Results

Patients reported various problems in work-related activities (e.g., problems with reading and making more mistakes) and work participation (e.g., working fewer hours or losing their job). Influencing environmental factors included type of employment, perceived job security, financial security, relationships with colleagues/managers, collaboration with others, physical vs. mental work, managing position, flexibility at work, corporate culture, and physical work environment (work-related), and traveling distance to work, financial savings, and (non)professional support (other environmental factors). Influencing personal factors included professional ambition, sense of duty, motivation, job satisfaction, and feeling of fulfilment (work-related), and personality, acceptance, coping styles, and lifestyle (general personal factors).

Conclusion

The expanded ICF model used in this study can bridge the gap between the approach of occupational health professionals and healthcare professionals involved in care for people with a pituitary disease. Patients with pituitary disease report limitations in activities and restrictions in participation at work, which are influenced by several environmental and personal factors. Healthcare professionals and occupational health professionals should be aware of these influencing factors and should address those that are modifiable in order to provide holistic, multidisciplinary patient-centered care. This can improve patients’ well-being and functioning at work with the ultimate goal to improve HRQoL.