Using stem cell transplant (SCT) survivor narratives to identify survivor challenges and coping strategies

Although hematopoietic stem cell transplant (SCT) can save the lives of many hematological cancer patients, it is a physically and psychologically demanding treatment. SCT patients are often informed about physical and psychosocial challenges they might encounter, but many are nonetheless unprepared for the range of challenges they experience and struggle to cope with them. Survivorship narratives-stories written by cancer patients about their experience–can illuminate their most critical challenges and provide guidance for developing interventions to address these needs. This presentation describes a content analysis of post-SCT survivorship narratives conducted to identify patients' specific challenges and resources for coping before, during, and after transplant. SCT patients enrolled in a trial testing a psychosocial intervention (n=248) wrote narratives describing their transplant experience in four brief guided writing sessions. Although participants commonly reported physical symptoms, this study revealed a range of intra- and interpersonal challenges. Most patients felt unprepared about important aspects of the transplant and encountered difficulty communicating with their providers. Common coping strategies that may have helped them manage these challenges included talking with other SCT survivors and researching the transplant on their own. Quotations describing transplant experiences in patients' own words provide a nuanced look into these challenges and coping strategies. The results have implications for interventions to improve the quality of life of SCT patients, suggesting the need to help providers communicate more effectively with SCT patients about challenges they might face. These results also illuminate specific coping strategies for providers to suggest to their patients.