Tailored Personas for Lung Transplant Recipients’ Return-to-Work Experiences: A Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data

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Abstract
Background: For lung transplant recipients, going back to work is a crucial sign of improved quality of life and post-operative social rehabilitation. However, the re-employment rate for this group is typically poor. Significant individual variances result from the process, which is heavily impacted by intricate physiological, psychological, and social aspects. Support measures frequently lack specificity since there is currently a lack of thorough understanding of the distinct needs and experiences of various patient groups. Objective: This study examines the real-life experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms of lung transplant recipients returning to work, and develops user personas for workforce reintegration to uncover cohort diversity and inform targeted vocational rehabilitation interventions. Methods: We conducted a secondary qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with 38 lung transplant recipients from a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu Province. Using Graneheim and Lundman’s content analysis and persona development, we identified and visualised distinct return-to-work profiles based on shared characteristics and behaviours. Results: Four return-to-work profiles were established: (1) Rapid Return Type – Patients who resumed work, recovered well, and actively reintegrated into society; (2) Meandering Return Type – Patients who returned to work but required ongoing balancing of health and occupational demands; (3) Life-Centred Type – Patients who voluntarily relinquished employment, prioritising health and recuperation; (4) Conflicted and Hesitant Type – Patients who have not returned to work but harbour a desire to do so, hindered by physical, psychological, and social barriers. Conclusion: Lung transplant recipients’ return to work experiences are highly varied and impacted by a variety of circumstances, including social, psychological, physiological, and economic aspects. Finding these profiles helps policymakers, rehabilitation teams, and clinicians comprehend the internal differences in this patient population. This knowledge makes it easier to provide individualized, categorized, and stratified vocational rehabilitation assistance, which fosters long-term social and professional integration.

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