Care experiences of primary family caregivers during the transition period for Allo-HSCT patients leaving the sterile laminar flow ward: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Objective To explore the care experiences and needs of primary family caregivers during the transition period after Allo-HSCT leave the sterile laminar flow ward. Methods Using the phenomenological research method in qualitative research, purposeful sampling was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with primary family caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients at the Bone Marrow Transplant Center of a tertiary-level hospital in Jinan City, Shandong Province, China. Data were coded, categorized, and themes were extracted using Colaizzi's 7-step analysis method. Results A total of 15 participants were included, yielding three themes: role transition and role overload leading to increased emotional stress, insufficient caregiving knowledge and fragmented information increasing caregiving challenges, and personal resource depletion resulting in caregiving dilemmas. Conclusion primary family caregivers of Allo-HSCT patients have negative caregiving experiences, with some caregiving needs remaining unmet. The study results call for healthcare providers to promptly address and repeatedly assess caregivers' multidimensional needs and caregiving challenges, incorporate the perspectives of primary family caregivers into post-transplant patient rehabilitation care, and establish diversified support mechanisms for cancer rehabilitation within the Chinese healthcare system.