Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)

Abstract Purpose Counseling by social workers can be of great relevance supporting cancer survivors with their psychosocial challenges such as returning to work. However, an instrument for assessing the quality between social worker and client in the cancer counseling setting regarding return to wor...

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Main Authors: Clara Breidenbach, Sabine Schneider, Marie Rösler, Nicole Ernstmann, Paula Heidkamp, Lina Heier, Kati Hiltrop, Sophie Schellack, Johannes Soff, Johanna Weiss, Christoph Kowalski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06040-6
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author Clara Breidenbach
Sabine Schneider
Marie Rösler
Nicole Ernstmann
Paula Heidkamp
Lina Heier
Kati Hiltrop
Sophie Schellack
Johannes Soff
Johanna Weiss
Christoph Kowalski
author_facet Clara Breidenbach
Sabine Schneider
Marie Rösler
Nicole Ernstmann
Paula Heidkamp
Lina Heier
Kati Hiltrop
Sophie Schellack
Johannes Soff
Johanna Weiss
Christoph Kowalski
author_sort Clara Breidenbach
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Counseling by social workers can be of great relevance supporting cancer survivors with their psychosocial challenges such as returning to work. However, an instrument for assessing the quality between social worker and client in the cancer counseling setting regarding return to work is not yet available. This study was carried out to develop and validate an instrument for this purpose. Methods A questionnaire was developed in collaboration with cancer counseling experts. Data collection took place in 19 outpatient cancer counseling centers in Germany. Cancer survivors seeking advice regarding their occupational situation were asked to complete the questionnaire 3 months after starting counseling. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 229) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 216) in two distinct samples, as well as validity and reliability tests, were performed. Results Exploratory factor analysis suggested a two-component solution. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this solution, with a satisfactory model fit (CFI = 0.995, RMSEA = 0.049, SRMSR = 0.036). The components identified included six items with three items each and were termed “1. relationship building” and “2. competent support.” The components had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α between 0.84 and 0.92) and test–retest reliability (1. r(30) = 0.49, p = 0.005, 2. r(30) = 0.89, p < 0.001). Significant correlations with other constructs measuring satisfaction with counseling and its usefulness indicated moderate to good construct validity (r between 0.36 and 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion The questionnaire developed shows satisfactory psychometric properties. It is an evaluation tool specific for cancer counseling regarding return to, since it will initially be used to evaluate an intensified program for supporting cancer survivors returning to work after treatment. It may also be tested as an instrument for quality assurance and management in general cancer counseling in the future.
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issn 1432-1335
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Springer
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series Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
spelling doaj-art-04ffd6bfc0454c2e8ef497962054f22b2025-02-09T12:10:29ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352024-12-0115111910.1007/s00432-024-06040-6Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)Clara Breidenbach0Sabine Schneider1Marie Rösler2Nicole Ernstmann3Paula Heidkamp4Lina Heier5Kati Hiltrop6Sophie Schellack7Johannes Soff8Johanna Weiss9Christoph Kowalski10German Cancer SocietyUniversity of EsslingenWorking Group on Social Work in Oncology (ASO) in the Germany Cancer SocietyUniversity of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Chair of Health Services ResearchUniversity of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Chair of Health Services ResearchUniversity of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Chair of Health Services ResearchUniversity of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Chair of Health Services ResearchGerman Cancer SocietyGerman Cancer SocietyUniversity of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Chair of Health Services ResearchGerman Cancer SocietyAbstract Purpose Counseling by social workers can be of great relevance supporting cancer survivors with their psychosocial challenges such as returning to work. However, an instrument for assessing the quality between social worker and client in the cancer counseling setting regarding return to work is not yet available. This study was carried out to develop and validate an instrument for this purpose. Methods A questionnaire was developed in collaboration with cancer counseling experts. Data collection took place in 19 outpatient cancer counseling centers in Germany. Cancer survivors seeking advice regarding their occupational situation were asked to complete the questionnaire 3 months after starting counseling. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 229) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 216) in two distinct samples, as well as validity and reliability tests, were performed. Results Exploratory factor analysis suggested a two-component solution. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this solution, with a satisfactory model fit (CFI = 0.995, RMSEA = 0.049, SRMSR = 0.036). The components identified included six items with three items each and were termed “1. relationship building” and “2. competent support.” The components had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α between 0.84 and 0.92) and test–retest reliability (1. r(30) = 0.49, p = 0.005, 2. r(30) = 0.89, p < 0.001). Significant correlations with other constructs measuring satisfaction with counseling and its usefulness indicated moderate to good construct validity (r between 0.36 and 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion The questionnaire developed shows satisfactory psychometric properties. It is an evaluation tool specific for cancer counseling regarding return to, since it will initially be used to evaluate an intensified program for supporting cancer survivors returning to work after treatment. It may also be tested as an instrument for quality assurance and management in general cancer counseling in the future.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06040-6Cancer counselingInstrumentPsychosocialSocial work
spellingShingle Clara Breidenbach
Sabine Schneider
Marie Rösler
Nicole Ernstmann
Paula Heidkamp
Lina Heier
Kati Hiltrop
Sophie Schellack
Johannes Soff
Johanna Weiss
Christoph Kowalski
Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Cancer counseling
Instrument
Psychosocial
Social work
title Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)
title_full Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)
title_fullStr Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)
title_full_unstemmed Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)
title_short Developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work — psychometric properties of the German Quality of Cancer Counseling Questionnaire-Return to Work (QCCQ-W)
title_sort developing an instrument to measure the quality of social work cancer counseling regarding return to work psychometric properties of the german quality of cancer counseling questionnaire return to work qccq w
topic Cancer counseling
Instrument
Psychosocial
Social work
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06040-6
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