Life Control of Patients Who Visit a Hospital as an Outpatient in the EarlyStage after Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Abstract

The present study aimed to obtain an insight into nursing practices supporting the life control of outpatients who have undergone transplantation, by clarifying the state of such control among patients who visit a hospital as an outpatient in the early stage after undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation （HSCT）. The study was conducted based on phenomenology in a qualitative and descriptive manner. Semi-structured interviews were held with 18 participants, and the obtained data was analyzed using the descriptive and phenomenological approach of Giorgi. As a result, patientsʼ life control was divided into three major themes comprised of seven themes and 20 subthemes. In addition, we revealed the following concerning the life control of patients who visit a hospital as an outpatient in the early stage after undergoing HSCT: 1） They are deeply concerned about their uncertain circumstances and “re-orienting their lives,” 2） they “lead their lives while maintaining a certain distance from others” and face challenges due to the absence of support for them, and 3） they “balance their own feelings and continue their lives” while trying not to think about their unfavorable prognoses or the possibility of recurrence. The life control of patients was characterized by them predicting their lives, and restraining themselves, while understanding their uncertain circumstances due to various factors, such as graft versus host disease （GVHD） and the possibility of recurrence. The results of our study suggest that nurses can help patients to realize concrete action, and nurses can help outpatients re-orient their lives by viewing their actions through life control. Nurses should also understand that patients have difficulty due to their strict restraints, and support them accordingly.