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We hope to see you at our next journal club meeting on Monday, August 5, 2024
@ 4:00 p.m. ET US! If you missed any or would like to dive back into them, click the image below to access the corresponding recording.

Facilitator: Amber Skinner

Date: Monday, May 6, 2024

Link to Article Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34263658/

The article “A Call to Action: Antiracist Patient Engagement in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Research and Advocacy” emphasizes the critical need for antiracist approaches in engaging patients within the field of adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology. This is particularly urgent given the concurrent global crises of COVID-19 and widespread protests against systemic racism.

Key points include:

Impact of Systemic Racism: The article highlights how systemic racism pervades the medical field, affecting everything from clinical trial designs to patient care outcomes. Implicit biases and structural inequalities contribute to disparities in health outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities​ (Oncology Central)​​ (ASCO Post)​.

Patient Engagement: Genuine patient engagement involves meaningful participation of AYA patients, especially those from racial and ethnic minorities, in all stages of research. This contrasts with tokenism, where patient involvement is superficial and does not influence decision-making. The article calls for patient engagement that respects both antiracist principles and developmental appropriateness​ (ASCO Post)​​ (Video Journal of Biomedicine)​.

PCORI Framework: The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Framework is suggested as a model for organizing patient engagement efforts. This framework emphasizes the need for inclusive and equitable participation in selecting research topics, designing studies, and disseminating results​ ​(Oncology Central)​.

Structural Changes: The authors argue for structural changes in research practices, including the active involvement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) researchers in leadership roles. This helps ensure that the research agenda and methods are culturally sensitive and truly inclusive​ (ASCO Post)​.

 Recommendations: The article provides several recommendations, such as:

• Identifying and addressing racial disparities in all research areas.
• Ensuring racial and ethnic minority patients are fully informed and involved in the research process.
• Acknowledging and mitigating power differentials in research settings.
• Developing new incentives in academia to promote the dissemination of research findings to the communities that will benefit most​ (Oncology Central)​​ (Video Journal of Biomedicine).

In summary, the article underscores the importance of incorporating antiracist principles into AYA oncology research and advocacy to address systemic inequities and improve health outcomes for minority populations.

Facilitator: Dr. Vishu Avatu

Date: Monday, February 26, 2024

Link to Article Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37477884/

The article “Gaps in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Education in Oncology Fellowship Training” highlights deficiencies in the education and training of oncology fellows regarding adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. It discusses how current oncology fellowship programs often lack structured curricula specifically designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by AYA cancer patients. The authors emphasize the importance of tailored education in this area, including topics such as fertility preservation, psychosocial support, survivorship care, and age-appropriate communication strategies. They suggest that integrating AYA-focused modules into fellowship training can improve the quality of care provided to this patient population.