Developing a Comprehensive, Psychoeducational Program: The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Orientation Group

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale 

Background:  Due to the complexity of stem cell transplant, patients and caregivers are often anxious and overwhelmed.  New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center designed educational transplant patient guides that are distributed, but it is unclear if all information is retained.  Reviewing the transplant information with patients and caregivers will allow for a better understanding of this difficult process.

Methods, Intervention, & Analysis 

Interventions:  The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Orientation Group is an interdisciplinary, psychoeducational group offered twice a month to patients and caregivers undergoing a stem cell transplant.  It is divided into three segments:  pre-transplant, inpatient hospitalization, and post-transplant.  The pre-transplant section is presented by a transplant coordinator to cover the necessary requirements prior to transplant.  The inpatient hospitalization and post-transplant phase are discussed by social work, nursing, dietary, and a senior physician assistant.  The inpatient phase outlines patient expectations, daily routine, conditioning and stem cell transplant process, engraftment, low-microbial diet, and possible complications of transplant.  The post-transplant phase emphasizes the necessity of a caregiver, transplant precautions, frequency of follow up, and the recovery process.  Patients and caregivers have an opportunity to ask general questions for each presenter. 

Methods:  Patients and caregivers were provided with a Likert-scale questionnaire designed to gather feedback on their feelings of preparation for the pre-transplant phase, inpatient hospitalization, discharge process, complications, post-transplant needs, and overall helpfulness of the group.  Data was collected from all groups over one year.

Findings & Interpretation

Results:  87 potential transplant patients and caregivers completed the questionnaire.  Participants widely agreed that they felt more informed in all aspects of transplant.  97% of group members agreed that the overall group was helpful in preparing them for transplant.

Discussion & Implications 

Conclusion:  This interactive, psychoeducational group proved to be a very effective approach to best prepare patients and caregivers for transplant.