‘Home sick’: exploring the impact of receiving a volunteer unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplant far from home on the perceived coping of patients residing in the NHS Highland region

Anderson, Bethany (2015) ‘Home sick’: exploring the impact of receiving a volunteer unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplant far from home on the perceived coping of patients residing in the NHS Highland region. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This project aims to gather the experiences of patients living within the NHS Highland region who have travelled to Glasgow to receive their allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant. It examines the effects of travelling long distances and remaining away from home for treatment, on coping. The project used a qualitative design, looking retrospectively at participants’ experiences. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim before being analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Results of the analysis indicated ten super-ordinate themes: Impact of physical health, ward life, “there is no place like home”, social support is key, the known versus the unknown, technology, the role of thoughts, change of environment, moving along a journey and the direct consequences of the distance. The results enhance understanding of the factors and resources which can aid patients’ coping. This information will be used to help prepare future patients embarking on their own treatment journey, as well as guiding staff as to how they can best prepare patients and support them to cope during treatment.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Haematology, Haemato-oncology, Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, Coping, Support, Distance, Travel
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology; R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Wilson, Dr. Sarah and Christopher, Dr. Hewitt
• Date of Award: 2015
• Depositing User: Miss Bethany M Anderson
• Unique ID: glathesis:2015-6689
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 30 Sep 2015 14:10
• Last Modified: 06 Oct 2015 10:53
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/6689