title: A national approach to improving adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology psychosocial care: the development of AYA-specific psychosocial assessment and care tools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Age-based screening tools and assessment measures are crucial to the provision of best practice care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. Unfortunately, there are limited psychosocial tools developed for this age group and pediatric or adult measures are often distributed with the assumption that they are "close enough." We describe a collaborative Australian project that strives to improve what currently exists for the psychosocial assessment of and planning for the 15-25-year-old age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Distress Thermometer and the HEADSS Assessment as a foundation, the tools were developed in consultation with Australia's leading AYA clinicians, AYAs currently undergoing medical treatment, and a group of AYA survivors through a process of discussion groups and clinical interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result is the first available AYA-specific screening tool, care plan pro forma, and psychosocial assessment measure developed for use within the oncology sector. These new tools will assist clinicians working with this population group to support psychosocial coping during active treatment and promote healthy post-treatment survivorship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over time, further validation procedures will add to the veracity of the measures. Until then, these measures represent the best available in Australia. They highlight a clinically recognized minimum standard of care that all young cancer patients, regardless of treatment location, have the right to receive.
authors: AYA Psychologist,Melbourne, Victoria,Australia.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Palmer
authors: CanTeen Australia, Sydney, New South Wales,Australia.
authors: Pandora
authors: P
authors: Patterson
authors: ONTrac at Peter Mac, Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service,Peter MacCallum Cancer, Melbourne, Victoria,Australia.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult