A Questionnaire Survey on Adolescent and Young Adult Hiroba, a Peer Support System for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients at a Designated Cancer Center in Japan

Abstract

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients have few opportunities to interact with peers in the hospital. AYA Hiroba, a peer support system for AYA cancer patients, was launched and held regularly at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan. This questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the degree of satisfaction and opinions of AYA cancer patients regarding this program. Participants reported that the content was satisfying and useful. Their impressions suggested that AYA Hiroba is potentially effective for promoting interaction with the same generation, change in mood, and acquisition of information.

Preliminary Effectiveness of an In-Hospital Peer Support Program, Adolescent and Young Adult Hiroba, on Anxiety in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients with Cancer

“…In this study, approximately half of the participants were male. In previous online studies 16 , 32 , 33 and in a study on a face-to-face AYA Hiroba program, 11 the proportion of male participants was low.…”

“…The National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH) is a high-volume cancer center that treats >1000 new AYA patients with cancer annually. An in-hospital peer support program for AYA patients with cancer, named AYA Hiroba, 11 was introduced in 2016. A multidisciplinary team supports the varied needs of this population.…”

A Hospital-Based Online Patients Support Program, Online Adolescent and Young Adult Hiroba, for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients at a Designated Cancer Center in Japan

“…The average number of participants and clinical characteristics of the participants ( Table 2 ) were compared with data from the face-to-face AYA Hiroba program. 4 Ease of access is one advantage of the online program. For face-to-face sessions, participants need to be hospitalized or go to the hospital on the day of the event, but for online sessions, they can participate from their home or anywhere they like.…”

“…Online AYA Hiroba and AYA Hiroba have essentially the same content. 4 Two facilitators from the AYA support team participate in each session. Table 1 provides the facilitator's manual unique to online sessions based on actual operations.…”

“…From October 2017 to March 2020, AYA Hiroba was held 30 times in a face-to-face format and a cumulative total of 161 patients participated. 4 However, AYA Hiroba was interrupted owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Holding sessions in a face-to-face format is associated with the potential risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission because patients gather and talk in close proximity.…”