The European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors - "Peer Visit as Research Method" Training
On February 8, 2023 Youth Cancer Europe hosted a “Peer Visit as Research Method” Training in Brussels, Belgium, in preparation for future observational and participatory research activities in EU-CAYAS-NET. The EU Network of Youth Cancer Survivors (EU-CAYAS-NET) is a project co-funded by the European Union’s EU4Health that promises to improve the quality of life of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors through meaningful social networking among individuals with lived experience of cancer, as well as social and health professionals active in cancer prevention and care across the European Union. Nicola Unterecker, Patient Advocate shared how passionate she is about this project because “it’s an opportunity for us to finally make a change in a system that is so desperately needed right now for us, for future patients, for future generations.” Anya Buchacz from Austria said she is especially excited about the Peer Visit activities and the opportunity to set a golden standard for AYA Care across Europe. “To me, this network is a really good way to connect people of different backgrounds and ethnicities. There are cancer survivors that would be pretty isolated otherwise. In the last few days there’s been people from 22 countries that have shared and learned and taught really good lessons and we’re looking forward to continue with the project” stated Andrea Ruano, Patient Advocate. The concept of Peer Visits is rooted in observational research. In our project participants will be able to observe healthcare professionals and other service providers in their natural environment. Peer Visits are also expected to result in valuable feedback to the collaborating institution as well as actionable takeaways for peers to support health-policy initiatives in their home-countries. This form of peer learning is designed to stimulate interaction, collaborative learning and solution-building. Youth Cancer Europe is responsible for the Peer Visits in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy. In 2024 YCE is responsible for several large events for EUCAYASNET.
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