Completed Research Project
Quality of life issues in patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Investigators: Hyde S, Nikoletti S, Joske
D & Rule S.
Funding: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital ($5,000)
Administering institution: Sir Charles Gairdner
Hospital
Abstract: Quality of life (QOL) of patients with cancer is an important issue in cancer nursing. In patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), these issues have particular meaning given that the procedure is offered to patients who have failed to respond to, or who relapsed following, first-line cancer therapy. This treatment involves high dose chemotherapy prior to re-infusion of the patients’ own peripheral blood stem cells. These procedures are accompanied by elements of risk for the patient, both in short and long-term survival, but also in that their QOL may be compromised during the treatment and recovery time-frame. Although QOL studies have been conducted in patients undergoing both autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, a review of the literature has not revealed any in the Australian population of patients undergoing PBSCT. This research will use a time series design to describe PBSCT patients’ perspectives of changes within the QOL domains. The QOL questionnaire is completed at three time points in the treatment trajectory. These are just prior to, on discharge and three months after PBSCT. Data analysis is currently underway. The desired outcome of this research is that in gaining an understanding of the QOL needs of patients throughout the transplant experience, intervention strategies can be developed to guide nursing practice.
