Background Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) and Teenage and Young Adults (TYA) represent a patient population group with complex care needs. Post cancer treatment the patient is confronted by unique physical, psychological and social challenges. Survivorship care aims to address these needs. Project design A qualitative systematic review was conducted exploring TYA/AYA cancer survivors’ experiences of survivorship and late effects clinics. Four electronic databases were searched CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science. The CASP tool was used to appraise the studies methodological rigour. Findings Four themes were identified; Lack of knowledge and preparation for late effects; Barriers in accessing and engaging with survivorship care services; Unmet holistic care needs in survivorship; Poor communication, coordination and transition of care. Conclusion AYA and TYA cancer survivors identified limited information regarding survivorship services and late effects risks. Survivorship Care Plans (SCPs) were valuable for information on late effects risks and follow-up schedules. However, it was highlighted that there was limited SCP availability together with fragmented services. The continuity of holistic care that focused on psychosocial well-being, peer support and use of digital tools and programs were vital in the ongoing care of the AYA and TYA population.
A Qualitative Systematic Review exploring the literature on Teenage and Young Adult and Adolescent and Young Adult cancer patients’ experiences of survivorship and Late-Effects clinics
Background Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) and Teenage and Young Adults (TYA) represent a patient population group with complex care needs. Post cancer treatment the patient is confronted by unique physical, psychological and social challenges. Survivorship are
aims to address these needs. Project design A qualitative systematic review was conducted exploring TYA/AYA cancer survivors’ experiences of survivorship and late effects clinics. Four electronic databases were searched CINAHL Medline, Scopus, Web of Science. The
CASP tool was used to appraise the studies methodological rigour. Findings Four themes were identified: Lack of knowledge understanding and being prepared for late effects; Barriers to accessing and engaging with survivorship care services; Holistic care needs in survivorship; Communication, coordination and transition of care. Survivors reported a lack of understanding of late effects and uncertainty regarding longterm health risks. Emotional factors including fear of recurrence and avoidance, alongside practical barriers including financial and competing responsibilities influenced engagement with follow-up services. Survivors emphasised the importance of age-appropriate, multidisciplinary, holistic support addressing psychosocial, physical and practical needs. Fragmented care pathways, poorly managed transitions and a lack of coordinated care further contributed to disengagement. Conclusion AYA and TYA cancer survivors describe limited information regarding survivorship services and potential late effects risks. SCPs were identified as a
way of providing information on late effects risks and follow-up schedules, however these were inconsistent or absent. Survivors described limited availability and inconsistent or fragmented services. AYAs valued early information in relation to survivorship
and late effects, continuity of care, holistic survivorship focusing on psychosocial wellbeing, peer support and the use of digital tools or programmes.
An exploration of the impact of treatment decision making on men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer in an island setting
The focus of this dissertation is a phenomenological study of the experiences of men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer, their treatment decision and the impact this has had on their lives. The setting is an off shore Island with the need to travel to the...