Introduction

Growing consensus describes it as ‘inappropriate’ to deliver care to young people in either child or adult environments of care or in settings not equipped to meet their psychosocial needs. The aim of this review was to identify what patient and professional experience tells us about the culture of care specific to young people receiving cancer care in the UK.

Methods

A narrative review of published, UK-based research was conducted. Five online databases were searched using terms related to “culture of care”, “cancer” and “adolescent”. Papers were assessed for relevance, according to pre-determined criteria: 19/1366 identified papers met our inclusion criteria.

Results

Studies included in this review were predominantly reflective of care received in specialist units. The findings were in support of ‘young people-friendly’, ‘tailored environments’, showing how they facilitate young people to have positive experiences of care. Communication, information delivery and patient choice were themes that were central to the culture of care.

Conclusion

Highlighted was the need to provide care beyond addressing clinical needs through a young-person centred approach, to facilitate optimal experiences of care. However, to fully understand the culture of care, research needs to focus on the delivery of care outside of specialist units.