Qualitative study: Experiences of TYAC patients returning to Education
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer (TYAC) Patients Returning to Education following treatment completion.
IRAS ID
265231
Contact name
Helen Hatcher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer (TYAC) Patients Returning to Education following treatment completion.
The TYAC bracket encompasses patients aged 16 to 24 with a cancer diagnosis. It is well-accepted that during adolescence a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment disrupts the normal developmental trajectory and leads to specific effects that, often, only develop well into survivorship. These ‘late effects’ are physical and psychosocial. Reintegration into ‘normal’ life following treatment poses many challenges for young adults. TYAC survivors have been shown to perform less well at school than their peers. This study would like to investigate further the specific challenges faced by teenagers and young adults in their return to education following completion of treatment.
Previous qualitative research has explored the experiences of TYAC patients in non-UK countries, with different healthcare and educational systems to those found in the UK. Other studies have explored the return of teenagers and young adults to secondary school but few studies have identified the challenges of TYAC survivors in returning to university and further education. The study aims to identify recurrent themes in the experiences of TYAC patients in returning to secondary school and further education within the UK system. It is thought that recommendations for care and areas for future research may also be identified as a result of the study.
The study population will be sampled from attendees of a TYAC late effects clinic at Cambridge University Hospitals between November 2019 and January 2021. This clinic sees patients between the ages of 16 and 29, who completed cancer treatment prior to their 25th birthday. Participants of the study will undergo a semi-structured interview with questions relating to their experiences returning to education following completion of treatment. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1806
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion