scholarly journals Strategies for improving access to clinical trials by teenagers and young adults with cancer: A qualitative study of health professionals’ views

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth I. Hart ◽  
Dorothy Boyle ◽  
David A. Cameron ◽  
Fiona J. Cowie ◽  
Larry Hayward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Teenagers And Young Adults

scholarly journals Use of symptom checkers for COVID-19-related symptoms among university students: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjinnov-2020-000498
Author(s):  
Stephanie Aboueid ◽  
Samantha B Meyer ◽  
James R Wallace ◽  
Shreya Mahajan ◽  
Teeyaa Nur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

ObjectiveSymptom checkers are potentially beneficial tools during pandemics. To increase the use of the platform, perspectives of end users must be gathered. Our objectives were to understand the perspectives and experiences of young adults related to the use of symptom checkers for assessing COVID-19-related symptoms and to identify areas for improvement.MethodsWe conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 22 young adults (18–34 years of age) at a university in Ontario, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified six main themes related to the decision of using a symptom checker for COVID-19 symptoms: (1) presence of symptoms or a combination of symptoms, (2) knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms, (3) fear of seeking in-person healthcare services, (4) awareness about symptom checkers, (5) paranoia and (6) curiosity. Participants who used symptom checkers shared by governmental entities reported an overall positive experience. Individuals who used non-credible sources reported suboptimal experiences due to lack of perceived credibility. Five main areas for improvement were identified: (1) information about the creators of the platform, (2) explanation of symptoms, (3) personalised experience, (4) language options, and (5) option to get tested.ConclusionsThis study suggests an increased acceptance of symptom checkers due to the perceived risks of infection associated with seeking in-person healthcare services. Symptom checkers have the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and health professionals, especially during pandemics; however, these platforms could be improved to increase use.

Teenagers and young adults with cancer need better access to clinical trials

BMJ ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 346 (mar25 1) ◽  
pp. f1959-f1959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Kmietowicz
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Teenagers And Young Adults

Understanding Self-Harm and Suicide Websites

Crisis ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren Baker ◽  
Sarah Fortune
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
And Coping ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Depth Interviews

Self-harm and suicide websites have been heavily criticized both in the literature and the wider media, despite the fact that very little is known about them. To date, no study has interviewed users of these sites about them. This qualitative study aims to explore the accounts of young adults who engage in self-harming and suicidal behaviors and use websites dedicated to these issues, in order to develop a broader understanding of these websites and to identify potential implications for future research. In-depth interviews were conducted via e-mail with 10 participants, who were recruited directly from self-harm and suicide websites. Using discourse analysis, we identified three main ways in which participants wrote about the sites. They constructed them as sources of empathy and understanding, as communities, and as a way of coping with social and psychological distress. These discourses gave users access to important, socially valued identities, such as being understood, belonging to a community and coping with their problems. If health professionals and researchers hope to understand people who use self-harm and suicide websites, and engage them in their services, they must take a more balanced view and not focus solely on the possible risks associated with using such sites.

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