Creating a palliative educational session for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients at relapse

Relapse after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a stressful event for patients and families, but provides an opportunity for education and psychosocial support. Little available research satisfies the needs of transplantation recipients at this critical time in the cancer trajectory. This article will apply the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium content principles to tailor an education session in an advanced practice nursing research intervention after a relapse from HSCT. The components were a specific session devoted to relapse, family-focused education and assessment, and bereavement follow-up. The details of the three steps are discussed with application to four case studies, which describe the variety of scenarios that can occur and illustrate how a standard approach should be tailored for each situation. In addition, the actual teaching tools and forms used for the intervention are included.