Summary
Cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). As such, designers must consider the influence of facility design on peer-to-peer social support and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while accounting for an AYA’s unique and changing needs. Both the stress of treatment and the environment in which treatment occurs can greatly impact AYAs during a time of significant social, biological, and cognitive transitions. This course will provide an in depth look at a study that spans developmental psychology and health design to inform specific evidence-based design guidelines for improving quality of care for AYAs with cancer. This course will also highlight how to leverage a mixed-methods approach comprising interviews, surveys, and focus groups to provide a holistic understanding of the phenomena under study. Attendees will receive information through multiple engagement elements, including an interactive presentation followed by a question and answer session.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the relationship between the built environment, social support, and health-related quality of life for adolescents and young adults with cancer.
- Consider the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults in the design of facilities for young people with cancer.
- Learn about a mixed-methods approach that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data to articulate the needs of an underserved patient population.
- Identify specific environmental qualities and characteristics associated with perceived social support and health-related quality of life for adolescents and young adults in an oncology setting.
Speaker:
Kati Peditto, Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University