PloS one
Symptom clusters and help-seeking behaviours during neutropenia after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study to inform oncology nursing support
By Jiang L, Hua J, Teng F and 3 others.
Abstract
Purpose
To explore how adult autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients experience and appraise symptom constellations during neutropenia, and how these appraisals shape help-seeking and interactions with clinicians.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in an inpatient haematopoietic stem cell transplantation unit in Wuxi, China. Adults aged 18 years or older who had undergone autologous transplantation and were neutropenic were purposively sampled to maximise variation. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.