Table 2.

Questions to Consider When Conducting a Community and Institutional Needs Assessment

Question	Information to gather
Who are the AYAs being served?	• Number entering health system each year • Description of AYA population in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, cancer type, and socioeconomic status
How are AYAs being cared for currently? What existing institutional and/or provider strengths and resources can be leveraged?	• Where do AYAs receive care? ○ Which disease group clinics? ○ Pediatric vs. adult oncology? ○ Inpatient vs. outpatient oncology? • List of services and resources available to AYAs in-house or through community partnerships including: ○ AYA-specific services and resources ○ Broader services and resources that could be leveraged for AYA population • List of any projects or initiatives specific to AYA population or provider education on the needs of this population
What are the major gaps in AYA care?	• Informed by expert consensus and guidelines for essential elements of high-quality AYA cancer care,17,40 what domains of care and resources are limited or unavailable with our health system? (e.g., treatment options, symptom management, fertility, sexual health, psychosocial care, survivorship care, end-of-life care, educational and vocational support) • What are the barriers that AYAs face in accessing existing services and resources? • What are the priorities of patients and caregivers with respect to AYA services and resources?
Who are the key individuals to involve?	• Which providers, staff, and other individuals are interfacing with AYA patients? • Which institutional leaders need to buy in to AYA program development? • Are there individuals within the institution who are particularly passionate about AYA care?

AYA, Adolescent and Young Adult.