Collaborating with Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer as Advisors

Abstract

There is a growing interest by both pediatric and medical oncologists to develop adolescent and young adult (AYA)-specific cancer programs. Input from AYA patients is critical to the successful design of these programs and to ensuring that patient needs are met. As traditional in-person advisory groups may not be the most appropriate means for engaging AYAs, this article describes the creation and implementation of a novel, developmentally appropriate, and efficient Young Adult Advisory Program. Reach, uptake, and participant demographic and clinical characteristics are presented alongside lessons learned. The findings are offered to assist others seeking to engage AYAs in program development and quality improvement efforts.