Reconnecting adolescent and young adult cancer survivors with follow-up care
Re-Engaging AYA Survivors in Cancer-Related Healthcare (REACH): A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART)
This project tries a step-by-step program—starting with reminder texts and informational resources and adding more support for those who still need it—to help adolescent and young adult cancer survivors return to regular long-term follow-up care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303339 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be someone who had cancer as a child or teen and may have fallen away from yearly survivorship visits. First, you'll be randomly assigned to either a low-touch approach with reminder text messages and informational resources for a few weeks or to receive written information only. If you don't make an appointment, you'll be re-randomized to receive up to 16 weeks of more intensive or different support to help you schedule and attend follow-up care. The program uses survivorship care plans and digital health tools and adjusts the level of help based on what actually helps you re-engage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer who are due for or have lapsed from recommended long-term follow-up care and can receive text messages or digital resources.
Not a fit: People who are already regularly attending long-term follow-up visits or those who cannot use phone- or text-based interventions may not gain benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help young survivors stay connected to care so late effects or new problems are caught and treated earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Simple reminder texts and informational outreach have improved appointment keeping in other groups, but using a sequential, adaptive (SMART) approach to step up support is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Lisa a — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Lisa a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.