Sharon Bergeron1, Kara Noskoff2, Jennifer Hayakawa3, Jamie Frediani1. 1. Hyundai Cancer Institute, CHOC Children's, Orange, CA, United States of America. 2. The Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Department, CHOC Children's, Orange, CA, United States of America. Electronic address: knoskoff@choc.org. 3. CHOC Children's, Orange, CA, United States of America.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The majority of cancer treatment programs do not focus on the unique psychosocial support needs of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. Recognizing this disparity, a freestanding children's hospital utilized an interdisciplinary approach to bridge the gap and develop a comprehensive program to address issues specific to new diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship in AYA oncology patients. METHODS AND INTERVENTIONS: A pediatric hospital formed a multidisciplinary team to educate, engage, and empower AYAs to participate in the development of a comprehensive program. RESULTS: The program enables peer-supported social networking and empowers patients to invest in their treatment and survivorship. The number of newly diagnosed adolescent patients accessing our program has increased 40% since the program began in 2015; attendees at AYA events increased from 99 in 2015 to 1312 in 2018, as has the number of AYA events per year. Following program implementation, our NRC Picker score of 89.3% ranks above the 90th percentile of all children's hospitals (benchmark 81.2%) on questions related to "involving teens in their care". CONCLUSIONS: AYA Programs can provide age-specific spaces, empowerment events, and specific education curriculum that meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults and may positively impact patient satisfaction.
PURPOSE: The majority of cancer treatment programs do not focus on the unique psychosocial support needs of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. Recognizing this disparity, a freestanding children's hospital utilized an interdisciplinary approach to bridge the gap and develop a comprehensive program to address issues specific to new diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship in AYA oncology patients. METHODS AND INTERVENTIONS: A pediatric hospital formed a multidisciplinary team to educate, engage, and empower AYAs to participate in the development of a comprehensive program. RESULTS: The program enables peer-supported social networking and empowers patients to invest in their treatment and survivorship. The number of newly diagnosed adolescent patients accessing our program has increased 40% since the program began in 2015; attendees at AYA events increased from 99 in 2015 to 1312 in 2018, as has the number of AYA events per year. Following program implementation, our NRC Picker score of 89.3% ranks above the 90th percentile of all children's hospitals (benchmark 81.2%) on questions related to "involving teens in their care". CONCLUSIONS: AYA Programs can provide age-specific spaces, empowerment events, and specific education curriculum that meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults and may positively impact patient satisfaction.
Authors: Faith Gibson; Lorna A Fern; Bob Phillips; Helen Gravestock; Sonia Malik; Amy Callaghan; Karen Dyker; Mike Groszmann; Leila Hamrang; Rachael Hough; Demi McGeachy; Sue Morgan; Sam Smith; Sheela Upadhyaya; Helen Veitch; Max Williamson; Jeremy Whelan; Susie Aldiss Journal: Health Expect Date: 2021-07-10 Impact factor: 3.318