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Burgers VWG, Dickhout A, Harthoorn NCGL, Frissen SAMM, Noordhoek MJ, Franssen SA, Reuvers MJP, van der Graaf WTA, Husson O. Involving adolescents and young adults (AYA) with an uncertain or poor cancer prognosis as research partners. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:961-968. [PMID: 37504887 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2238554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interest in patient involvement is increasing in health research, however, is not yet well described in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with palliative cancer, such as AYAs with an uncertain and/or poor cancer prognosis (UPCP). This study aimed to document the process of involving AYAs with a UPCP as partners in research including their experiences, the impact, and our lessons learned. MATERIALS AND METHODS AYAs with a UPCP were recruited via healthcare professionals and patients to involve as research partners in the qualitative interview study. To define their role and tasks in each research phase we used the participation matrix. RESULTS In total six AYAs with a UPCP were involved as research partners and five as co-thinkers. They were involved in initiating topics, developing study design, interviewing, analyzing data, and dissemination of information. Together with the researcher, they co-produced the information letters and interview guides and implemented aftercare and extra support. The research partners ensured that the data was relevant, correctly interpreted and that results were translated to peers and clinical practice. AYAs themselves felt useful, found people who understand their challenges, and were able to create a legacy. CONCLUSION The benefits of involving AYAs with a UPCP as research partners cannot be stressed enough, both for the study as well as for the AYAs themselves, but there are challenges. Researchers should anticipate and address those challenges during the planning phase of the study. This article provides practical tips on how to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian W G Burgers
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek Dickhout
- Internal Medicine, Division Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- GROW-School of Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Research Partner, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Milou J P Reuvers
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Winette T A van der Graaf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olga Husson
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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van Ham CR, Burgers VWG, Sleeman SHE, Dickhout A, Harthoorn NCGL, Manten-Horst E, van Eenbergen MC, Husson O. A qualitative study on the involvement of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer during multiple research phases: "plan, structure, and discuss". RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2022; 8:30. [PMID: 35804443 PMCID: PMC9264747 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-022-00362-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Including the lived experience of patients in research is important to improve the quality and outcomes of cancer studies. It is challenging to include adolescents and young adults (AYAs) cancer patients in studies and this accounts even more for AYAs with an uncertain and/or poor prognosis (UPCP). Little is known about involving these AYAs in scientific research. However, by including their lived experiences during multiple phases of research, the quality of the study improves and therefore also the healthcare and quality of life of this unique patient group. We first aimed to document experiences of AYAs and researchers with AYA involvement initiatives using the Involvement Matrix and the nine phases of the research cycle. Second, we aimed to map the (expected) challenges and recommendations, according to patients and researchers, for AYA involvement in each research phase. METHODS Thirteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with AYAs and researchers from February 2020 to May 2020. A thematic analysis codebook with a critical realistic framework was used to analyze the data. RESULTS AYAs and researchers were predominantly positive about AYA involvement within six of the nine phases of research: identify and prioritize topics, develop study design, disseminate information, implement, and evaluate findings. Not all respondents were positive about AYA involvement in the following three phases: formulate research questions, conduct research, and analysis and interpretation. However, few respondents had experience with AYA-researcher collaborations in multiple phases of the research cycle. Last, the results indicate the importance of adding a role (practical support) and two phases (grant application and recruitment) to the Involvement Matrix. CONCLUSION Our results show the added value of AYA (with a UPCP) involvement within scientific research projects. We recommend researchers to actively think about the level and phase of collaboration prior to each research project, by involving and brainstorming with AYAs at the conception and throughout research projects. Besides, to enhance fruitful participation, we suggest thoroughly discussing the pros and cons of collaboration for each phase together with AYAs via the proposed Involvement Matrix to support transparency. We recommend to report experiences, choices, and results of AYA involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Rosalinde van Ham
- Department of Communication, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vivian Wilhelmina Gerarda Burgers
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Annemiek Dickhout
- Department of Medical Oncology, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mies Christina van Eenbergen
- Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Olga Husson
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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