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Published on: October 3, 2018
Parents' experiences of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta-synthesis
Maryam Maleki1, Abbas Mardani1, Mojtaba Vaismoradi2
1Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Insights
Parents of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) face significant caregiver burden. Holistic, family-centered care is essential to support parents
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Oncology
- Stem Cell Transplantation
- Family Caregiving
- Psychosocial Support
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a critical treatment for pediatric malignancies and genetic disorders.
- Parents experience substantial emotional, psychological, and practical burdens during their child's HSCT journey.
- Understanding these parental experiences is vital for developing effective support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and analyze existing evidence on parents' experiences with pediatric HSCT.
- To gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and needs of parents during their child's HSCT.
- To inform the development of family-centered care models.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review with a meta-synthesis approach.
- Searched five major databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase) without time restrictions.
- Included qualitative studies and qualitative components of mixed-methods studies focusing on parental experiences.
Main Results:
- Included 24 qualitative and 1 mixed-methods study.
- Identified five key themes: caregiver burden, support systems, family dynamics, coping strategies, and positive outcomes.
- Highlighted the multifaceted nature of parental experiences during pediatric HSCT.
Conclusions:
- Parents undergoing pediatric HSCT face significant challenges but also experience growth opportunities.
- Emphasizes the need for holistic, family-centered care to alleviate caregiver burden and enhance support.
- Calls for healthcare providers and policymakers to implement supportive measures, including mental health services and financial aid.
Purpose:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving treatment for various pediatric conditions, including malignancies and genetic disorders but imposes significant burdens on families, especially parents. This study synthesized and analyzed existing evidence on parents' experiences of pediatric HSCT to provide a comprehensive understanding of their challenges and needs.
Design And Methods:
This study utilized a systematic review with a meta-synthesis approach. The search was conducted across five databases-PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase-without time restrictions to identify relevant articles published in reputable online scientific journals. Inclusion criteria encompassed qualitative studies and the qualitative components of mixed-methods studies exploring parents' experiences with their child's HSCT, published in peer-reviewed journals and written in English.
Results:
The review included 24 qualitative studies and one mixed-methods study. Through thematic synthesis, five main themes emerged: "caregiver burden", "support systems", "family dynamics", "coping strategies", and "positive outcomes".
Conclusion:
Our findings provide meaningful insights into the multifaceted challenges and growth opportunities faced by the parents of children undergoing HSCT. They emphasize the necessity of holistic, family-centered care models that reduce caregiver burden, enhance support systems, promote healthy family dynamics, and foster effective coping strategies.
Implications For Clinical Practice:
This study emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers and policymakers in supporting parents of children undergoing pediatric HSCT. It calls for family-centered care that meets parents' emotional, psychological, and practical needs, and urges policymakers to support family-focused care models through mental health services, financial aid, and flexible care to reduce stress and improve outcomes.
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