The lived experience of autologous stem cell‐transplanted patients: Post‐transplantation and before discharge

Aims and objectives To explore the lived experience of the patients post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and specifically after engraftment and before discharge. Background Patients post‐stem cell transplantation experience significant changes in all life aspects. Previous studies carried out by other researchers focused mainly on the postdischarge experience, where patients reported their perceptions that have always been affected by the life post‐transplantation and influenced by their surroundings. The lived experience of patients, specifically after engraftment and prior to discharge (the “transition” phase), has not been adequately explored in the literature. Doing so might provide greater insight into the cause of change post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Design This study is a phenomenological description of the participants’ perception about their lived experience post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study used Giorgi's method of analysis. Methods Through purposive sampling, 15 post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients were recruited. Data were collected by individual interviews. Data were then analysed based on Giorgi's method of analysis to reveal the meaning of a phenomenon as experienced through the identification of essential themes. Results The analysis process revealed 12 core themes covered by four categories that detailed patients lived experience post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The four categories were general transplant experience, effects of transplantation, factors of stress alleviation and finally life post‐transplantation. Conclusion This study showed how the haematopoietic stem cell transplantation affected the patients’ physical, psychological and spiritual well‐being. Transplantation also impacted on the patients’ way of thinking and perception of life. Attending to patients’ needs during transplantation might help to alleviate the severity of the effects and therefore improve experience. Relevance to clinical practice Comprehensive information about transplantation needs to be provided over different intervals and at different occasions. The role of the haematopoietic stem cell transplantation coordinators is important, and their communication skills and knowledge were found to be significant in patients’ preparation and decision‐making. As healthcare providers usually attend to only the patients’ physical and psychological needs, spirituality was found to play an important role in maintaining morale and making sense of the meaning of life.