Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production

Abstract Background Young adult cancer survivors, defined as individuals aged 18–39 who have completed primary curative treatment, face numerous age-specific biopsychosocial late effects that impact health-related quality of life negatively. Rehabilitation can enhance participation in life roles, wo...

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Main Authors: Maria Aagesen, Marc Sampedro Pilegaard, Astrid Janssens, May Aasebø Hauken, Karen la Cour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Research Involvement and Engagement
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00667-y
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author Maria Aagesen
Marc Sampedro Pilegaard
Astrid Janssens
May Aasebø Hauken
Karen la Cour
author_facet Maria Aagesen
Marc Sampedro Pilegaard
Astrid Janssens
May Aasebø Hauken
Karen la Cour
author_sort Maria Aagesen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Young adult cancer survivors, defined as individuals aged 18–39 who have completed primary curative treatment, face numerous age-specific biopsychosocial late effects that impact health-related quality of life negatively. Rehabilitation can enhance participation in life roles, work, leisure activities and health-related quality of life. However, there is a lack of age-specific cancer rehabilitation for this population, leaving many young adults with diminished self-efficacy in managing their challenges, resulting in unmet needs. This study aimed to co-produce and develop an age-specific, municipality-based cancer rehabilitation intervention programme to improve young adults’ self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. Methods The development process was completed between September 2019 and June 2023 and followed Hawkins et al.’s three-staged framework for co-production: (1) A literature review and stakeholder consultations; (2) four workshops with 2–6 young adult cancer survivors, 3–4 professionals, and two researchers and one workshop with 20 young adult cancer survivors and two researchers to co-produce the name, component content, delivery methods and potential outcomes; and (3) Refinement of the programme and its programme theory. Key findings from each stage informed the subsequent stages. Results The Young Adults Taking ACtion programme was developed. It applies a person-centred approach and is grounded in social cognitive theory and experiential learning theory. It comprises one mandatory component, a needs assessment and goal setting that tailor which of the following seven components the young adults will receive: (1) everyday life, (2) physical activity, (3) psychological issues, (4) education and work, (5) sexuality and relationships, (6) funds and grants, and (7) family and friends. The programme is primarily group-based and will be delivered by an interdisciplinary team over 16 weeks. Conclusions We co-produced a comprehensive, goal-oriented, and peer-based rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors. The engagement of young adults and professionals ensured that the programme aligned with the population’s needs and preferences and was context specific. Thus, it is likely that the programme will be more realistic and feasible to implement in clinical practice.
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spelling doaj-art-9d0d65007a9a4a7c9bb714b3cbe51d862025-08-20T02:31:47ZengBMCResearch Involvement and Engagement2056-75292024-12-0110111610.1186/s40900-024-00667-yDevelopment of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-productionMaria Aagesen0Marc Sampedro Pilegaard1Astrid Janssens2May Aasebø Hauken3Karen la Cour4User Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, Department of Public Health, University of Southern DenmarkDEFACTUM, Central Region DenmarkUser Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, Department of Public Health, University of Southern DenmarkCentre for Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of BergenUser Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, Department of Public Health, University of Southern DenmarkAbstract Background Young adult cancer survivors, defined as individuals aged 18–39 who have completed primary curative treatment, face numerous age-specific biopsychosocial late effects that impact health-related quality of life negatively. Rehabilitation can enhance participation in life roles, work, leisure activities and health-related quality of life. However, there is a lack of age-specific cancer rehabilitation for this population, leaving many young adults with diminished self-efficacy in managing their challenges, resulting in unmet needs. This study aimed to co-produce and develop an age-specific, municipality-based cancer rehabilitation intervention programme to improve young adults’ self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. Methods The development process was completed between September 2019 and June 2023 and followed Hawkins et al.’s three-staged framework for co-production: (1) A literature review and stakeholder consultations; (2) four workshops with 2–6 young adult cancer survivors, 3–4 professionals, and two researchers and one workshop with 20 young adult cancer survivors and two researchers to co-produce the name, component content, delivery methods and potential outcomes; and (3) Refinement of the programme and its programme theory. Key findings from each stage informed the subsequent stages. Results The Young Adults Taking ACtion programme was developed. It applies a person-centred approach and is grounded in social cognitive theory and experiential learning theory. It comprises one mandatory component, a needs assessment and goal setting that tailor which of the following seven components the young adults will receive: (1) everyday life, (2) physical activity, (3) psychological issues, (4) education and work, (5) sexuality and relationships, (6) funds and grants, and (7) family and friends. The programme is primarily group-based and will be delivered by an interdisciplinary team over 16 weeks. Conclusions We co-produced a comprehensive, goal-oriented, and peer-based rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors. The engagement of young adults and professionals ensured that the programme aligned with the population’s needs and preferences and was context specific. Thus, it is likely that the programme will be more realistic and feasible to implement in clinical practice.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00667-yComplex interventionIntervention developmentUser engagementOncologyEveryday lifeHealth-related quality of life
spellingShingle Maria Aagesen
Marc Sampedro Pilegaard
Astrid Janssens
May Aasebø Hauken
Karen la Cour
Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production
Research Involvement and Engagement
Complex intervention
Intervention development
User engagement
Oncology
Everyday life
Health-related quality of life
title Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production
title_full Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production
title_fullStr Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production
title_full_unstemmed Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production
title_short Development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co-production
title_sort development of a rehabilitation programme for young adult cancer survivors using co production
topic Complex intervention
Intervention development
User engagement
Oncology
Everyday life
Health-related quality of life
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00667-y
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