ECO-OncoWork - Promoting Healthy Work Environments and the Integration of professionals with oncological diseases

This project is not under CIDEFES Leadership.

Timeline

Janeiro 2026 – Julho 2027

Partners

• HEI-LAB - Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab
• CEIED - Centro de Estudos Interdisciplinares em Educação e Desenvolvimento
• CISIS - Centro de Investigação em Serviço Social e Intervenção Social.
• CICANT- Centro de Investigação em Comunicação Aplicada, Cultura e Novas Tecnologias
• CIDEFES- Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física, Exercício e Saúde

From CIDEFES

Lúcia Gomes, Catarina N. Matias José P. Morgado, and Sofia Franco.

Summary

The number of cancer patients of working age has been increasing in Portugal and worldwide, posing significant challenges to biopsychosocial health as well as to job retention and reintegration. This project aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a multilevel ecological intervention model, supported by digital technology, to promote healthy, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces for individuals living with cancer.

The approach is systemic, participatory, and evidence-based, engaging workers, organizations, families, and healthcare professionals. Its central innovation lies in a collaboratively designed digital application (web and mobile), with tailored functionalities for different users: workers (symptom tracking, well-being, and needs), healthcare professionals (monitoring reports and recommendations), managers and HR staff (practical guidelines based on real data), and colleagues (educational content and social support).

The intervention will operate across three levels:

• Universal/preventive - fostering an organizational culture of health and equity.
• Selective/during treatment - facilitating job adjustments, sensitive communication, and emotional support.
• Rehabilitation/reintegration - developing personalized strategies for return-to-work and job readaptation.

The ecological model integrates four domains: the individual (health, emotions, and self-efficacy), the workplace (inclusive policies, leadership, and interpersonal relations), the family (support and work–life balance), and healthcare (clinical–work articulation).

Methodologically, the project adopts a mixed-methods design (quantitative and qualitative), using participatory co-construction techniques and validation via a pilot study. The main objectives are to: (1) identify needs and risk/protective factors for job retention and reintegration, (2) develop a digital evidence-based intervention model, (3) evaluate its impact on health, well-being, and professional reintegration, and (4) produce a best practice guide and policy recommendations.

Expected outcomes include: a validated ecological and digital intervention model, an interactive application tailored to user profiles, scientific publications, practical guides and manuals, training workshops, and policy recommendations aligned with WHO priorities and the 2030 Agenda.

This project advances scientific excellence, technological innovation, and social impact by fostering the active inclusion of cancer patients in the workplace and strengthening organizations as agents of health.

This project is funded by the Fazer + - Concurso Excelência na Investigação.

Link para site do projecto (se aplicável)

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