Abstract
Purpose
In this pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility of implementing the Needs Assessment & Service Bridge (NA-SB)- an intervention to address the pervasive unmet needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) during cancer treatment.
Methods
We conducted a mixed methods single-arm feasibility pilot study of NA-SB at the North Carolina Basnight Cancer Hospital. Eligible participants were AYAs ages 18–39 in active cancer treatment. After receiving NA-SB, participants completed a postintervention survey assessing their perceptions of NA-SB. We interviewed participating providers to assess their implementation experiences.
Results
On average, AYA participants (n = 26) rated NA-SB’s feasibility as 4.5/5, its acceptability as 4.5/5, and its appropriateness as 4.4/5. 77% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that their needs were met in the study period.
Conclusion
This pilot study generated preliminary evidence to establish NA-SB’s feasibility as well as proof of concept for the intervention as a viable approach for identifying and addressing AYAs’ unmet needs.
Authors’ contributions
ERH, LL, CS, MM, DK, ABS, and JMS were involved in study conceptualization and design. ERH, LL, CS, MM, DK, and ABS participated in data collection and interpretation. All authors (ERH, LL, CS, MM, DK, JS, JC, JMS, ABS) were involved in manuscript conceptualization, drafting, and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Availability of data and material
The primary data collection instrument for this study (i.e., the NA-SB needs assessment) is available as Online Resource 1. Select data is available as Online Resource 2. The corresponding author can be contacted for access to additional materials and study data.
Code availability
Not applicable
Consent to participate
We obtained informed consent from all study participants prior to study enrollment.
Consent for publication
Study participants consented to the publication of their data in this manuscript. No identifiable data has been included in this manuscript.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Ethics approval
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at Wake Forest School of Medicine and the University of North Carolina (IRB00068240, IRB210609).