This paper reports on a multi-phased, mixed-method consensus-based study conducted with young carers in the UK aged 11–18, and health, social care and education professionals from the UK, USA and Canada, to identify priority items for inclusion in a short screening tool for use with young carers of a family member with a progressive or long-term illness or disability. Following ethical approval from University and local Research Ethics Committees, qualitative and quantitative data were collected between 2017 and 2019 from 267 people (107 young carers; 160 professionals), through interviews, a focus group, a Delphi survey, consensus group meetings and consultations. Qualitative data were analysed thematically, and quantitative data were analysed using measures of central tendency, frequency and levels of dispersion. The resulting Carers’ Alert Thermometer (CAT-YC) contains an identification question followed by ten areas of need across two themes of ‘current caring situation’ and ‘carer’s health and wellbeing,’ along with guidance for possible next steps and space for an action plan to be jointly agreed between the screener and young carer. Preliminary piloting of the CAT-YC provides evidence of identifying and monitoring needs, and is expected to be useful for young carers, a wide range of professionals, and organisations that support young carers.

本文报告了一项多阶段、混合方法、基于共识的研究，研究对象为英国 11-18 岁的年轻护理人员以及来自英国、美国和加拿大的健康、社会护理和教育专业人员，以确定优先纳入的项目在一个简短的筛查工具中，供患有渐进性或长期疾病或残疾的家庭成员的年轻照顾者使用。在获得大学和当地研究伦理委员会的伦理批准后，2017 年至 2019 年间，通过访谈、焦点小组、德尔福调查、共识小组会议和协商，从 267 人（107 名年轻护理人员；160 名专业人员）中收集了定性和定量数据。定性数据按主题进行分析，定量数据使用集中趋势、频率和分散程度的测量进行分析。由此产生的护理人员警报温度计 (CAT-YC) 包含一个识别问题，然后是“当前护理情况”和“护理人员的健康和福祉”两个主题的十个需求领域，以及可能的后续步骤和行动空间的指导计划由筛选者和年轻照顾者共同商定。CAT-YC 的初步试点提供了识别和监测需求的证据，预计对年轻照料者、广泛的专业人士和支持年轻照料者的组织有用。