JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Women with breast cancer face many barriers to return to work (RTW) after their treatment. The FAcilitating and SusTain the Return to work After breast Cancer (FASTRACS) intervention aims to facilitate and sustain functional RTW. The main objective of the RECOVA-FASTRACS study is to evaluate the processes of the using a realist approach that analyses what works, how, for whom and under what circumstances.

Methods:

The RECOVA-FASTRACS study uses a mixed-methods design to assess the implementation, context, and impact mechanisms of the FASTRACS intervention. The qualitative analysis will include two main components: a trajectory analysis and a focus group assessment. The trajectory analysis will examine the experience of women who participated in the intervention and key individuals involved in their RTW process. We will use semi-structured interviews according to the multiple-case study method. Additionally, to explore organisational and professional practices, focus groups will be conducted with professionals who deliver the intervention. To analyse the trajectories, embedded and iterative integration will combine the qualitative findings, with relevant quantitative data from the FASTRACS randomised controlled trial for five domains (i.e. personal situation, professional situation, return to work, care pathway, intervention tool use and perceived usefulness). Discussion: Our mixed-methods realist evaluation will provide a detailed analysis of the intervention processes, helping to identify impact mechanisms within specific contexts. This approach is meant to ensure a more informed and realist deployment of the intervention by professionals following the study.