Steve Marshall1, Anne Grinyer2, Mark Limmer3. 1. Palliative Care Team, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cicely Saunders Institute, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: steve.marshall3@nhs.net. 2. Faculty of Health and Medicine, Furness College, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.grinyer@lancaster.ac.uk. 3. Faculty of Health and Medicine, Furness College, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: m.limmer@lancaster.ac.uk.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although the UK has pioneered the development of specialist adolescent cancer units, the majority of teenagers and young adults (TYAs) continue to be treated at their local hospital or at a cancer centre alongside adults of all ages. This study aimed to elicit young people's views on this experience of having cancer treatment in an adult setting. METHODS: Seventeen participants who had been treated for cancer in an adult hospital between the ages of 15 and 24 were recruited via cancer charities and social media. Telephone interviews were conducted with the participants and the resulting data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Already feeling out of sync as a TYA with cancer, participants felt out of place in the adult setting. Four factors contributed to this negative experience: a lack of affinity with older patients; the challenging issues in the adult setting; the absence of empathy towards TYAs by staff; and the unsuitability of the environment for adolescents. CONCLUSION: Staff working with TYAs with cancer in the adult setting should be aware of the potentially detrimental impact of this environment on this cohort of patients, and consider ways of adapting and modifying their approach. Crown
PURPOSE: Although the UK has pioneered the development of specialist adolescent cancer units, the majority of teenagers and young adults (TYAs) continue to be treated at their local hospital or at a cancer centre alongside adults of all ages. This study aimed to elicit young people's views on this experience of having cancer treatment in an adult setting. METHODS: Seventeen participants who had been treated for cancer in an adult hospital between the ages of 15 and 24 were recruited via cancer charities and social media. Telephone interviews were conducted with the participants and the resulting data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Already feeling out of sync as a TYA with cancer, participants felt out of place in the adult setting. Four factors contributed to this negative experience: a lack of affinity with older patients; the challenging issues in the adult setting; the absence of empathy towards TYAs by staff; and the unsuitability of the environment for adolescents. CONCLUSION: Staff working with TYAs with cancer in the adult setting should be aware of the potentially detrimental impact of this environment on this cohort of patients, and consider ways of adapting and modifying their approach. Crown
Authors: Rachel M Taylor; Lorna A Fern; Julie Barber; Javier Alvarez-Galvez; Richard Feltbower; Stephen Morris; Louise Hooker; Martin G McCabe; Faith Gibson; Rosalind Raine; Dan P Stark; Jeremy S Whelan Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-04-20 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Olga Husson; Marjolijn J L Ligtenberg; Lonneke V van de Poll-Franse; Judith B Prins; Martin J van den Bent; Mies C van Eenbergen; Renske Fles; Eveliene Manten-Horst; Jourik A Gietema; Winette T A van der Graaf Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2021-05-13 Impact factor: 6.639