The aftermath of bone marrow transplant for parents of pediatric patients: a post-traumatic stress disorder.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a child's bone marrow transplant (BMT) experience that may precipitate a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the parent.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, books, and the authors' clinical experience.

DATA SYNTHESIS

When viewed from the PTSD framework, parental reactions to a child's BMT offer striking parallels that include assessment of the event as traumatic, re-experiencing the event, intrusive thoughts, and a variety of emotional and cognitive responses. Interventions based on PTSD research can be implemented in clinical settings to diminish and treat these responses.

CONCLUSIONS

The PTSD framework holds promise for healthcare providers in devising strategies to help families of children undergoing BMT to cope with the experience.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses can use orientation, education, coaching, and peer support to help families before BMT and debriefing and counseling after BMT.