Background: As early as 1997 it was stated that the outpatient model when patients are cared for in their homes (outpatient care) in connectionwith hematopoietic stemcell transplantation (hSCT), gave positive results regarding safety and effectiveness. But in the year of 2022, in manycountries, it is still an offer and not a standard treatment. Despite long international and national experience of outpatient treatment at hSCT, manypatients are still fully cared for in hospitals.
Purpose: To describe the patients’ subjective experiences of outpatient (OP)- and inpatient (IP) care during autologous hematopoietic stem celltransplantation and to ensure the quality of care outside hospital environment as a form of care in order to improve the patient's experience ofsafety and security at autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at a University Hospital in Sweden. And, to evaluate physicians' andnurses’ assessment using a standardized assessment form of the patient's self-care ability when cared for outside the hospital.
Methods: A quantitative questionnaire study with pre-selected response alternatives and open-ended questions.
Results: Most patients, regardless of the form of care, OP or IP care, felt satisfied with the information given by the care provider. Nearly all ofthe patients who were cared for in hospital and who responded to the questionnaire, experienced anxiety during the care period compared withpatients who were cared for in a home environment responding to the questionnaire, where the vast majority did not experience any anxiety duringthe care period.
Conclusion: Most patients indicate, as shown in other studies, that they felt satisfied with the care and information they received in connectionwith hematopoietic stem cell transplantation but patients in IP care felt more anxiety than patients in OP care. Regarding evaluating physicians'and nurses’ assessment using a standardized assessment form of the patient's self-care ability when cared for outside the hospital, there wereno notable differences in the assessment.
Clinical relevance: A questionnaire provides the healthcare provider with a basis for developing and improving in clinical care for patientsreceiving hSCT. Regarding attention to the mental well-being equated with the physical well-being it is a clinical task for healthcare providers. Awell-developed basis for assessing the patient's level of care can ensure the best care.
Hilaris SRL , 2022. Vol. 11, no 12
Patients’ experiences, Outpatient care, Inpatient care, Stem cell transplantation, Questionnaire study