Youth Advisory Boards in Health Care Settings: Perspectives From Health Care Professionals

There is a mutually beneficial, multidirectional relationship when young people are engaged in policy, programming, and research. Although the positive impact of youth engagement is evident, adultism and organizational readiness remain key barriers to youth participation in health care settings.

This study explored how adult health care professionals and hospital leadership at an urban safety-net hospital understand and conceptualize youth advisory boards (YABs) and assess their utility in health care settings.

Semistructured interviews (N = 10) were conducted and thematic analysis was used to explore the central research question: How do adults understand and conceptualize YABs and their utility in health care settings? To triangulate findings and highlight youth experiences and expertise, a listening session was held with 2023-2024 YAB members to elicit reflections and recommendations for future YABs in health care settings.

Adult participants had minimal experience interacting with YABs in their work; however, they shared a common understanding of YABs as an advisory group of youth with diverse identities and positionalities who represent the community. They reported the need for hospitals to establish intentional partnerships with youth and provide space for youth to be key stakeholders in influencing research, practice, policy changes, and innovations. Participants were critical of barriers in health care settings that could impede success, including limited time, sustainable funding, limited experience working with YABs and Youth of Color more broadly, health care setting readiness, and the need for strong adult facilitation.

Health care professionals are increasingly interested in utilizing YABs to improve practice, policy, and research. With the proper infrastructure, support, and intentionality, the authentic engagement of youth voices in health care settings can be realized and be a mechanism for health equity.