Experiences of Patients Receiving Transplants of Donated Allogeneic Stem Cells
Keywords:
experiences, patients receiving transplants of donated allogeneic stem cells, qualitative researchAbstract
Objective: To examine the experiences of hematological malignancy patients who received transplants of donated allogeneic stem cells
Design: Descriptive qualitative research
Methodology: The informants, selected via purposive sampling, were 13 hematological malignancy patients having received transplants of donated allogeneic stem cells in the previous six months to two years. Data were elicited through in-depth interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim and analysed using Colaizzi’s method, up to the point of data saturation.
Results: According to the results, the patients’ main experiences, observed in three stages, were as follows:
1. Before allogeneic stem cell transplantation 1) “Why me?”; 2) “Fighting with hope”; 3) “Waiting for an HLA match”; 4) “Effects of illness and treatment on living”; and 5) “Preparation for allogeneic stem cell transplantation”. 2. During allogeneic stem cell transplantation 1) “The allogeneic stem cell transplant as a life saver”; 2) “The pain during treatment”; 3) “How to cope with the illness”; and 4) “The joy of returning home and fear of leaving the hospital”. 3. After allogeneic stem cell transplantation 1) “Adjustment and self-care”; 2) “Death is inevitable”; 3) “Worries about recurrence of disease and change in self-image”; and 4) “Living with the present”.
Recommendations: The research findings can be used as baseline data to assist healthcare professionals to build an understanding of allogeneic stem cell transplant patients’ experiences and to increase nursing care efficacy.
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