Evaluation of an Educational and Vocational Service for Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer: A Retrospective Review

Abstract

Purpose: A cancer diagnosis and its treatment has the potential to interfere with the ability of adolescent and young adults (AYAs) to remain engaged in education or employment, placing social connectivity, career progression, and financial security at risk. This study aimed at assessing the educational and vocational outcomes of AYAs supported by an Education and Vocational Support Program (EVSP). Methods: Consecutive case files were reviewed of AYAs accessing the EVSP at ONTrac at Peter Mac (January 2014-December 2016). Data collected included: demographic information; diagnosis and treatment; referral time point; education/employment status at referral and end of treatment; and interventions provided. Results: Two hundred nineteen AYAs had >1 appointment with an EVSP advisor. The mean age was 19.6 (13-26). The most common intervention delivered was direct consultations. Overall, 79% of AYAs were engaged in educational and/or vocational pursuits at last known status. Engagement with EVSP during treatment for employment and tertiary educational support had a high rate of attendance at last known status (during treatment: 93% and 92.5%; post-treatment: 71% and 69%, respectively). At referral to EVSP, 27 AYAs were not in education, employment, or training; however, >50% re-integrated in employment or study after EVSP support. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the role of an EVSP for Australian AYAs. With the support of an EVSP, the vast majority of AYAs remained engaged in education and/or employment throughout their cancer trajectory. Further research will be required to evaluate the quality of interventions and incorporate the voice of AYAs to further inform service delivery.

Development of an intervention for the social reintegration of adolescents and young adults affected by cancer

“…Our findings indicate the need for an intervention involving a multidisciplinary team that can, on the one hand, assist AYAs with cancer in navigating the administrative, legal, financial and psychological issues that can cause severe stress and, on the other hand, can support their social re-entry into everyday life e.g., through educational and financial aid. Several studies point to recognizable benefits of educational and vocational support for AYAs with cancer [ 37 – 39 ]. Among other things, research conducted by Dax et al show that the majority of AYA cancer patients who receive educational and vocational services remain in educational and/or employment [ 37 ].…”

“…Several studies point to recognizable benefits of educational and vocational support for AYAs with cancer [ 37 – 39 ]. Among other things, research conducted by Dax et al show that the majority of AYA cancer patients who receive educational and vocational services remain in educational and/or employment [ 37 ]. However, further research is still needed to understand and evaluate the support AYAs need to achieve social reintegration after active treatment [ 18 , 37 ].…”

“…We suggest, therefore, that the proposed intervention be evaluated in a series of pilot studies testing its feasibility and effectiveness while also determining the form and procedures involved [ 33 ]. Before embarking on a full-scale evaluation of these studies, it will be essential to incorporate the responses of AYAs and of the professionals who will be delivering the intervention [ 37 ]. Due to a high degree of local adaptation, flexibility and variability in the intervention design, we recommend that the intervention is evaluated following the Medical Research Councils (MRC) guidance for evaluation of complex interventions [ 33 ].…”

Survivors’ Dilemma: Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives of Work-Related Goals

“…This requires using advanced methods to examine multilevel individual and microsystem effects and additional work on the significance of financial health of participants in these instances driving WRGs. Future work should also aim to explore the role of occupational and financial counselors in the care of YAs with cancer (Dax et al, 2020; Leuteritz et al, 2020; Tan et al, 2020).…”

Adolescent and young adult brain tumors: current topics and review

“…For AYA brain tumor survivors, assistance in utilizing social resources and peer support may be more useful. It was reported that a vast majority of AYAs remained engaged in education throughout their cancer trajectory with the support of educational support program [ 39 ]. Because AYA patients with brain tumor with cognitive impairment have many unmet needs, establishment of a special educational support program is desired.…”