The lived experience post-autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT): a phenomenological study

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has a high physical and emotional morbidity. This study using Husserlian phenomenological methodology and using Giorgi's (Phenomenology and Psychological Research, Dusquesne University Press, Pittsburgh, 1985) method of analysis was undertaken to attempt to gain some understanding of the patient's experience. Five adult patients who had previously undergone autologous transplantation for a haematological malignancy at least 6 months before participated in the study. Interviews with the participants were audio taped and then transcribed verbatim. Nine themes emerged from the participants' stories and included psychological cost, physical and psychological adaptation, reprioritisation and a sense of isolation. The transplant experience can be separated into a discrete period of time and the findings illustrate that the experience of transplantation impacts on the life of the person for an undetermined period of time. The changes experienced may be permanent and the post-transplant person, emotionally, psychologically and physically, is not the same person who entered into transplant. For nurses and other health care professionals to improve practice it is imperative that they understand the lived experience their patients have undergone. Pretransplant preparation and post-transplant rehabilitation can be enhanced by having a greater depth of understanding.