Feasibility and Acceptability of a Pilot Tailored Text Messaging Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults Completing Cancer Treatment.

2019

2019 Nov 11

1099-1611

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>Despite cure, adolescents and young adults (AYA) who complete cancer treatment remain at risk for numerous physical and psychological late effects. However, engagement in recommended follow-up care, knowledge of cancer treatment history and risks, and adoption of health promoting behaviors are often suboptimal. The pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a text messaging intervention (THRIVE; Texting Health Resources to Inform, motiVate, and Engage) designed to promote well-being, and health knowledge and behaviors.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Sixty-one AYA who recently completed cancer therapy enrolled and were randomized to receive THRIVE (n=31) or an AYA survivor handbook (n=30). Participants from both groups completed baseline measures and follow-up surveys 16 weeks later. AYA randomized to THRIVE received 1-2 health-related text messages per day over 16 weeks.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>THRIVE demonstrated a high level of acceptability and feasibility. Exploratory analyses highlighted promising improvements in knowledge, fruit/vegetable intake, and perceptions of health vulnerability.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Text messaging is an acceptable and feasible intervention approach for improving well-being and health of AYA survivors. Future research is needed to test the impact of text messaging in a larger trial, including whether or not such an intervention can improve clinical outcomes, such as survivors' engagement in follow-up care.</p>

10.1002/pon.5287

Psychooncology

31713265

Preferences for cancer survivorship care among adolescents and young adults who experienced healthcare transitions and their parents.

2019

2019 Jul 04

1932-2267

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>This study aimed to elucidate experiences and preferences for survivorship care delivery among adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors who experienced healthcare transitions.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Eight focus groups were conducted with two groups of AYA survivors and their parents: (1) those who recently completed cancer treatment and are beginning follow-up care and (2) those who disengaged in follow-up care after the transition from pediatric to adult survivorship clinics. Interviewers used a structured interview guide that contained questions about perceptions and preferences for survivorship care models, resources, and tools (e.g., a survivorship care plan). We employed directed content analysis techniques to identify and organize relevant themes.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Results of this study support six primary themes for optimizing survivorship care models for AYA: (1) improve knowledge of late effects and need for LTFU; (2) provide supportive services that help to address fear and uncertainty about health; (3) adapt survivorship care to be consistent with AYA developmental factors; (4) increase support surrounding healthcare transitions; (5) improve survivorship care communication and coordination between patients and families, and between providers; and (6) incorporate digital health tools.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>These groups represent vulnerable patient populations in AYA survivorship care and their perspectives highlight potential clinical and research priorities for enhancing long-term care models.</p>

<p><strong>IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: </strong>Elucidating AYA and parent recommendations for survivorship care delivery can help to promote continuous engagement in care, target unmet needs, and promote health through survivorship models that are deemed acceptable to both patients and families.</p>

10.1007/s11764-019-00781-x

J Cancer Surviv

31273639

Development and Content Validation of the Transition Readiness Inventory Item Pool for Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

2017

983-994

2017 Oct 01

1465-735X

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The development of the Transition Readiness Inventory (TRI) item pool for adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors is described, aiming to both advance transition research and provide an example of the application of NIH Patient Reported Outcomes Information System methods.</p>

<p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using rigorous measurement development methods including mixed methods, patient and parent versions of the TRI item pool were created based on the Social-ecological Model of Adolescent and young adult Readiness for Transition (SMART).</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>Each stage informed development and refinement of the item pool. Content validity ratings and cognitive interviews resulted in 81 content valid items for the patient version and 85 items for the parent version.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>TRI represents the first multi-informant, rigorously developed transition readiness item pool that comprehensively measures the social-ecological components of transition readiness. Discussion includes clinical implications, the application of TRI and the methods to develop the item pool to other populations, and next steps for further validation and refinement.</p>

10.1093/jpepsy/jsx095

J Pediatr Psychol

29046041