Preparedness, Uncertainty, and Distress Among Family Caregivers in the Care of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the level of preparedness, uncertainty, and distress of family caregivers (FCs) of patients before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

SAMPLE & SETTING: This study is a longitudinal cohort panel study involving 69 FCs of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

METHODS & VARIABLES: Data were collected during the first week of hospitalization (T0) and two weeks after discharge (T1) via FCs' demographic information, a clinical status form for patients, two scales, and a psychological distress instrument. IBM SPSS Statistics, version 16.0, was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The mean preparedness among FCs decreased significantly at T1 compared to T0. In addition, the uncertainty experienced by FCs was significantly higher at T0 than at T1.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Assessing the readiness of FCs and providing them with psychological and supportive interventions before patients are discharged is crucial for ensuring better care of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nurses must offer comprehensive information to FCs about patients' diagnosis, treatment, and care protocol to minimize uncertainty.