Coping strategies used during treatment by patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Background: Coping strategies in the process of treatment with hematopoeitic stem cell transplantation are crucial to the improvement of the quality of life of these patients. Objective: To describe coping strategies used during treatment by patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methodology: Qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research, with 5 participants, conducted from July to No-vember 2017, in a hospital of reference for this treatment in Brazil. Data were collected by means of semi-structured and self-applied video interview and analysed by the content analysis technique. Results: Coping strategies such as family support and spiritu-ality were the most used, present in every stage of transplant, followed by the increase of feeling of appreciation of life after overcoming this experience. Conclusion: Patients develop coping strategies to endure therapy effects. The knowledge of the strategies can contrib-ute to the enlightenment and stimulation of future patients regarding coping with treatment, as well as to the assistance of health professionals, especially nursing teams in care practice.