Dedicated support systems for young patients

Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) aged 15 to 24 inclusive require dedicated medical, psychological, and socio-professional support. For nearly a year, the Onconormandie network has been offering healthcare facilities in the former Lower Normandy region a personalized program designed to best meet their needs for optimal care.

In the transition between childhood and adulthood, adolescents and young adults (AYAs) represent a specific population in terms of medical and psychosocial care. Adolescents are in a phase of personality development, gaining independence from their parents, and entering into sexual life. Young adults are building their professional lives and relationships. Illness disrupts this dynamic.

The Caen Normandy University Hospital (CHU Caen Normandie) treated approximately fifty adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer in 2023. For nearly a year, these patients have been able to benefit from the Regional Support Program for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer (DRAK'AJA), funded by the OncoNormandie network. This regional program was initially launched in 2019 in Rouen and now covers western Normandy.

A dedicated coordinator at the heart of the patient journey

An AJA coordinating nurse, in collaboration with the teams of the various oncology departments of the establishment, thus offers personalized support to patients, allowing them to continue to build themselves up despite the illness.

It streamlines healthcare pathways and assists patients in managing their procedures. Its role encompasses listening, help, availability, and support. In 2023, it supported nearly 60 young people – whether they were undergoing diagnosis, ill, or in remission.

At the heart of patient care coordination, she liaises with the various stakeholders at the Caen Normandy University Hospital and throughout the western Normandy region. She assesses support care needs: psychologist, social worker, schooling, training, guidance, reintegration, adapted physical activity, sexuality, fertility, dietetics, addiction treatment, sophrology, socio-esthetician, etc., facilitates contact with associations, and contributes to informing young patients.

The nurse provides personalized follow-up throughout the treatment, and telephone and email support is available. Recently, a support group for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), facilitated by the facility's psychologists, was also established to encourage discussion and enhance the range of care offered.

pediatric onco-hematology service of the Caen Normandy University Hospital, keen to offer the best quality and continuity of care to children, proposes via the OncoNormandie network, after the acute phase of the disease, to continue the care and treatments as close as possible to the child's place of residence, in a local health facility or at home.

Since 2007, whenever possible and depending on the care required, children treated in the department can benefit from the OncoNormandie Pediatrics (PON) program. This regional program has been implemented for over a year at the Rouen branch.

Coordinate care as close as possible to the home

Thanks to this specific and adapted organization, supported by the Normandy Regional Health Agency , children benefit from personalized and coordinated care by a dedicated pediatric nurse, combining cutting-edge treatments, innovation and proximity.

The primary objective of the system is to organize the continuity of quality care as close as possible to the child's home between the Caen Normandy University Hospital, other health establishments in the western region ( Argentan , Alençon , Lisieux , Avranches-Granville , Cherbourg and Flers hospitals ), independent professionals (general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, etc.), home hospitalization professionals ( HAD ) and medical and rehabilitation care in western Normandy and local rehabilitation centers (Bayeux, Flers, Hérouville Saint-Clair as well as in connection with joint care with the Rouen University Hospital ).

The nurse works within the pediatric oncology-hematology department in close collaboration with the teams. She also collaborates with the Regional Pediatric Palliative Care Resource Team "La Source" , a multidisciplinary team that integrates the palliative approach into the practice of all healthcare professionals confronted with end-of-life care in pediatrics.

In collaboration with the service's teacher, she also facilitates the child's reintegration into their school environment. At the request of the parents and/or teachers, they can visit the child's school to discuss their illness with their classmates.