The Family Experience Following Bone Marrow/Blood Cell Transplantation

Aim: This is a report of a study which explored how families with children at home managed four to 12 months after an adult family member was discharged from the hospital following bone marrow/blood cell transplantation.

Methods: This study was a descriptive, qualitative, one-point-in-time study. Content analysis in relation to the three conceptual components of the Family Management Style Framework was employed; inductive thematic analysis determined the emergent conceptual dimensions present in the data.

Results/Findings: The three conceptual components of the Family Management Style Framework, (1) definition of the situation, (2) management behaviors  and (3) perceived consequences, were validated as relevant for this sample across all participants. New conceptual dimensions were also present, inclusive of: recovery view, support base, financial picture, management domains, perceived consequences to the whole family and perceived consequences to the dyad relationships.

Conclusion: Implications for nursing practice include a better understanding of how adult patients and their families manage during the recovery phase. Future research should include use of The Family Management Style Framework throughout the entire transplant experience.