Identifying the health and supportive care needs of adolescent and young adult survivors diagnosed with cancer: a mixed methods study

Abstract

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Current cancer programs in Canada manage adolescents (15-18 years) under a pediatric model of care, and young adults (19-25 years) under a disease-centered model of care. Key issues arise because neither of these models adequately meets the needs of adolescents and young adults (AYA). The aim of this study is to identify health and supportive care (HSC) needs of AYA survivors with cancer. <strong>Method: </strong>A concurrent nested mixed-method design was employed. Qualitative description and a systematic literature review (SLR) were used. Medline, Cochrane Central, PubMed, PsycInfo CINAHL and EMBASE were searched from their date of inception to October 2011. A comprehensive search strategy was developed. A purposive sample of AYA survivors with cancer, aged 15-25 years were recruited. Face-to-face qualitative interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Line-by-line coding was used to establish codes and categories. <strong>Result: </strong>Our SLR retrieved 760 citations. Among them, 12 were relevant. Qualitative findings are based on 20 interviews. Twelve diagnosed during adolescence and eight in young adulthood. Participants described several HSC needs that we categorized into 7 broad themes (e.g., social health) and 29 sub-themes (e.g., social support). Among the most commonly reported HSC needs for AYA survivors with cancer from both studies, were social wellbeing, information-sharing and communication and service provision. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study has identified a comprehensive set of HSC needs of AYA survivors with cancer. Study results will be used to inform the potential development of a new healthcare program for AYA patients in the Hamilton Health Sciences.</p>