Meghan E. McGrady, PhD
- Program Leader, Young Adult Oncology Psychosocial Program
- Pediatric Psychologist, Research, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
- Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
About
Biography
I am a pediatric psychologist and researcher whose work focuses on promoting health behavior change, including medication adherence, among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer.
For many adolescents and young adults with cancer, treatment includes a variety of complex health behaviors, such as taking multiple medications at varied dosing schedules. Following treatment recommendations can be difficult, but it can result in better health outcomes. The goal of my research is to develop and test new interventions to help make it easier for adolescents and young adults with cancer to adhere to their treatment recommendations.
I first became interested in this line of research as a psychology doctoral student when I volunteered at a camp for teens with type 1 diabetes. I watched teens balance their day-to-day activities, such as hiking, sports, and spending time with friends, with the tasks required for self-management — things like checking their blood sugar and administering insulin. As I gained an appreciation of the challenges of managing a medical condition as an adolescent or young adult, I began to consider how I could contribute to adherence science.
To prepare me for a career in adherence science, I obtained specialized training in this field, including a National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral fellowship. Since starting my faculty position at Cincinnati Children's in 2014, I have developed a research career focused on finding solutions that will help make it easier for adolescents and young adults with cancer adhere to treatment recommendations.
I'm also a proud mom, hiking enthusiast, triathlete, and music lover.
BA: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, 2006.
MA: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2009.
PhD: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2012.
Internship: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2012.
Fellowship: NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship (T32HD068223), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2014.
Interests
Treatment adherence; adolescents and young adults; oncology
Research Areas
Clinical Psychology
Publications
The Power of Words: Preferred Medical Terminology of People Affected by Congenital Heart Conditions. Heart, Lung and Circulation. 2024; 33:s501.
Evaluation, analysis, and reporting of medication adherence for clinical trials of anticoagulants in children: guidance from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Pediatric and Neonatal Thrombosis and Hemostasis. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2024; 22:2081-2092.
Factors influencing caregiver decisions to use complementary and integrative therapies in pediatric oncology settings: Findings from a qualitative analysis. European Journal of Oncology Nursing (EJON). 2024; 70:102588.
Feasibility pilot trial of a tailored medication adherence-promotion intervention for adolescents and young adults with cancer: Study design and protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2024; 139:107483.
Recommendations on Inclusive Language and Transparent Reporting Relating to Diversity Dimensions for the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2024; 12:1-15.
Psychological Outcomes in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024; 42:707-716.
Editorial: Recommendations on inclusive language and transparent reporting relating to diversity dimensions for the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2024; 49:1-12.
Ethical considerations in using sensors to remotely assess pediatric health behaviors. American Psychologist. 2024; 79:39-51.
Feasibility of Electronic Medication Monitoring Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Sickle Cell Disease. Patient Preference and Adherence. 2023; 17:3167-3171.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within Pediatric Adherence Science. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. 2023; 30:330-341.
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