Understanding the symptom experience and self-management strategies of adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients during hospitalization: findings from a qualitative longitudinal study

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the symptom experience and self-management strategies of adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients during hospitalization. Methods This was a qualitative descriptive study. A heterogeneous sample of 19 patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from May to October 2021 were enrolled in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at four time points during hospitalization, providing a total of 64 interview datasets. Results Four themes and 11 subthemes reflecting the symptom experience and self-management strategies of adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients during hospitalization were observed. The four themes were (1) unexpected symptom burden: dynamic, disturbing, co-occurring, and correlative; (2) emotional complexity at different periods; (3) internal predicament: ineffectiveness of symptom management; and (4) external strength: desire for support from multiple sources. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients experienced a complex and dynamic array of symptoms from admission to discharge, and they experienced the dual forces of internal predicament and external strength in symptom selfmanagement during hospitalization. ConclusionThe findings of this study emphasize the need for a deeper understanding and precise management of the symptom experience of adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients during hospitalization. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nurses need to assess symptoms on an ongoing basis; educate patients on ways to perceive, express, and self-manage multiple symptoms; and develop patients' self-symptom management skills to enhance their symptom relief and quality of life.

Taste alterations in patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study

“…HSCT patients usually experience more than one symptom during the treatment, and their lack of knowledge and poor perception of the symptoms hinder them from effectively coping with the changes. 10 The inability to properly acknowledge the distortion in taste sense and a poor knowledge of appropriate treatments have hindered patients from seeking help to manage the symptoms. 39 To improve awareness and management of taste alteration, nursing managers should systematically equip nurses with knowledge related to taste alterations which includes the appropriate assessment and diagnosis, influencing factors, and management strategies.…”

“…The symptoms include pain, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, weakness, insomnia, and taste alterations (TAs). 7 , 9 , 10 …”