TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychosocial service use and unmet need among recently diagnosed adolescent and young adult cancer patients
AU - Zebrack, Brad J.
AU - Block, Rebecca
AU - Hayes-Lattin, Brandon
AU - Embry, Leanne
AU - Aguilar, Christine
AU - Meeske, Kathleen A.
AU - Li, Yun
AU - Butler, Melissa
AU - Cole, Steven
PY - 2013/1/1
Y1 - 2013/1/1
N2 - Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer demonstrate biomedical risks and psychosocial issues distinct from those of children or older adults. In this study, the authors examined and compared the extent to which AYAs treated in pediatric or adult oncology settings reported use of, and unmet need for, psychosocial support services. Methods: Within 4 months of initial cancer diagnosis, 215 AYAs ages 14 to 39 years (99 from pediatric care settings and 116 from adult care settings; 75% response rate) were assessed for reporting use of information resources, emotional support services, and practical support services. Statistical analyses derived odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for service use and unmet needs after controlling for race, employment/school status, sex, relationship status, severity of cancer, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. Results: AYAs ages 20 to 29 years were significantly less likely than teens and older patients ages 30 to 39 years to report using professional mental health services and were significantly more likely to report an unmet need with regard to cancer information, infertility information, and diet/nutrition information. Compared with teens who were treated in pediatric facilities, AYAs who were treated in adult facilities were more likely to report an unmet need for age-appropriate Internet sites, professional mental health services, camp/retreats programs, transportation assistance, and complementary and alternative health services. Conclusions: Substantial proportions of AYAs are not getting their psychosocial care needs met. Bolstering psychosocial support staff and patient referral to community-based social service agencies and reputable Internet resources may enhance care and improve quality of life for AYAs.
AB - Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer demonstrate biomedical risks and psychosocial issues distinct from those of children or older adults. In this study, the authors examined and compared the extent to which AYAs treated in pediatric or adult oncology settings reported use of, and unmet need for, psychosocial support services. Methods: Within 4 months of initial cancer diagnosis, 215 AYAs ages 14 to 39 years (99 from pediatric care settings and 116 from adult care settings; 75% response rate) were assessed for reporting use of information resources, emotional support services, and practical support services. Statistical analyses derived odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for service use and unmet needs after controlling for race, employment/school status, sex, relationship status, severity of cancer, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. Results: AYAs ages 20 to 29 years were significantly less likely than teens and older patients ages 30 to 39 years to report using professional mental health services and were significantly more likely to report an unmet need with regard to cancer information, infertility information, and diet/nutrition information. Compared with teens who were treated in pediatric facilities, AYAs who were treated in adult facilities were more likely to report an unmet need for age-appropriate Internet sites, professional mental health services, camp/retreats programs, transportation assistance, and complementary and alternative health services. Conclusions: Substantial proportions of AYAs are not getting their psychosocial care needs met. Bolstering psychosocial support staff and patient referral to community-based social service agencies and reputable Internet resources may enhance care and improve quality of life for AYAs.
KW - adolescent
KW - psychosocial
KW - supportive care
KW - young adult
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84872772969&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84872772969&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/cncr.27713
DO - 10.1002/cncr.27713
M3 - Article
C2 - 22744865
AN - SCOPUS:84872772969
SN - 0008-543X
VL - 119
SP - 201
EP - 214
JO - Cancer
JF - Cancer
IS - 1
ER -