Although defining the conditions that promote
being known is complex, the findings of the current
study do not point to being known as a necessarily
complex process. Facilitating factors ranged from the
very simple (e.g., remembering a participant’s name
or diagnosis) to the more intricate (e.g., feeling that
healthcare providers were like family members). This
is consistent with previous studies, in which knowing
the patient was found to be experienced uniquely by
each person, and that no single behavior or pattern of
behaviors was attributable (Radwin, 1996; Thorne et
al., 2005).
Although many of the participants strongly identified
with being a young adult, several did not feel it
was a good fit. The age range was too wide, and some
found identifying with participants on the older end
of the spectrum difficult. Others felt too old to be considered
a young adult. These findings suggest that the
AYA grouping is based solely on age rather than actual
commonalities. This could have clinical implications
because grouping patients who fall into this wide age
range in clinical settings and psychosocial support
groups is common (D’Agostino et al., 2011; David et
al., 2012; Evan & Zeltzer, 2006).
Along with the emphasis on interpersonal aspects of
care, the cultural or organizational components had a
strong influence on how patients can feel known. In the
current study, participants provided examples of what
that can look like.