Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication between Oncology Clinicians and Adolescent & Young Adult Patients
Mentor Name: Natasha Frederick
Adolescent and young adult cancer patients (AYAs) consistently report the need for improved patient-clinician communication on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Unfortunately, oncology clinicians often underestimate the importance of SRH issues for these patients and rarely talk about SRH through cancer treatment and survivorship. Research by our team shows that AYAs want their cancer clinicians to talk about SRH, yet are uncomfortable bringing up the topic themselves. As such, the responsibility lies on the clinician to start these conversations. If patients want to talk about SRH issues, why are cancer clinicians not having these conversations? Our research shows that many clinicians need additional education on how to talk to AYAs about SRH as well as how cancer can impact SRH during and after cancer treatment. In a survey of >600 pediatric oncology clinicians, we found that 63% of respondents identified interactive online education modules as a preferred way to learn this material. In response to this finding we have developed a curriculum that includes general education on the importance of talking about SRH during cancer therapy, how to talk to AYAs about these sensitive issues, contraception and safe sex practices during cancer treatment, and how to identify and address sexual dysfunction. This suite of clinician-centered education modules is now ready for pilot testing to assess feasibility, acceptability, and usability in the pediatric oncology setting. The goal for this funding period is to initiate the pilot study, recruit pediatric oncology physicians and advanced practitioners for participation, and to collect and analyze initial feasibility and acceptability data.
