| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Cancer is not ageist; it affects all age groups. Cancer-related mortalities are one of the biggest natural death causes among the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) population. Venous access can be paramount in the delivery and supplementation of the chemotherapy treatments and established by introduction of Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs). TYA patients, often facing a sudden diagnosis, need to make numerous decisions, including that of a CVAD insertion, which can have a long-term effect on patients’ everyday life.
Literature review: No available research to date has focused on TYA cancer patient population and their experience of CVADs. Studies of adult populations highlighted the importance of insertion procedure, information giving and information availability, and the influence devices have on activities of daily living, social interactions, self-image and self-management.
Aims: The aim of this research proposal is to explore and describe Teenage and Young Adult Cancer (TYAC) patients’ experience of living with CVADs.
Methodology: This longitudinal qualitative exploratory- descriptive research proposal will collect data from a non-probable purposive sample of ten TYAC patients based in Scotland. Unstructured interviews will focus on patient experiences in three time points after device insertion. Data collection and thematical analysis will be undertaken in a continuous process and be member checked.
Conclusions: The findings of this research will provide valuable insight into patients’ experience and perhaps inform future evidence-based and person-centred practice.
Key Terms: Teenage and Young Adult, Cancer, Central Venous Access, Experience | en |
