The Adolescent and Young Adult Needs Assessment & Service Bridge (NA-SB): A single-arm feasibility pilot study

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.

Keywords:

• Adolescent and young adult cancer
• adolescent and young adult oncology
• biopsychosocial screening
• feasibility pilot
• needs assessment
• patient-reported outcome measures

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).

Additional information

Funding

Research expenses for this study were supported by P50CA244693 (NCI) and P30 CA012197 (NCI - Comprehensive Cancer Center of WFU Cancer Center Support Grant). Dr. Haines’ effort was supported by 2T32 CA122061 (NCI).