Purpose: Hematological diseases are among the most common forms of cancer that can affect young adults. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a common intervention to treat blood-related cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Allogeneic stem cell transplants can provoke many acute and chronic symptoms. Young adult cancer survivors are expected to develop expertise to self-manage these symptoms. However, learning self-management can be quite challenging for young adults. This paper aims to describe the symptoms self-management learning experiences of young adults following an allogeneic stem cell transplant.
Method: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to describe self-management learning experiences of young adults (18-39 years old) following an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 7, mean age 26 years old, mean time since allogeneic stem cell transplant was 14,71 months). Iterative qualitative content analysis was performed.
Results: Participants who had undergone an allogeneic stem cell transplant described learning self-management as a progressive process, with expertise having to be developed through experience. Certain factors could positively or negatively affect the learning process and hence the development of this self-management expertise. With time, these young adults developed interoceptive ability and body awareness related to their symptoms, which influenced their self-management.
Conclusions: Following an allogeneic stem cell transplant, young adults need to be supported during their survivorship to develop self-management expertise. Nurses must adapt care according to patients' level of expertise to promote autonomy, development of interoceptive ability, and acquisition of self-management skills.
Keywords: Autonomy; Interoceptive ability; Leukemia; Self-management; Stem cell transplant; Young adults.
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