Psychosocial Impact Following Acute Hospitalization Among Patients With Hematologic Malignancies and Their Family Caregivers: A Content Analysis

BACKGROUND: Hematologic malignancies (HMs) require intensive treatment procedures which significantly reduce quality of life for patients. Patients with HM often rely on family caregivers to provide emotional and instrumental support. It is therefore essential to understand patients' and caregivers' experiences to inform psychosocial interventions. AIMS: This study explores the impact of HM on patients' and caregivers' lived experiences during the acute treatment period. METHODS: Interview responses from patients with HM (n = 24) and their caregivers (n = 24) were coded via content analysis to describe the meaning that participants assigned to their experiences, and code frequencies were calculated. RESULTS: Results identified themes of emotional, physical, logistical, and financial impacts of the disease as well as supports and challenges in families' interactions with the healthcare system. Patients most frequently discussed the physical impact of their illness, while caregivers made the most comments about their relationship with healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore patient, caregivers, and healthcare team successes and challenges as well as the need for early interventions that help families feel more prepared to cope with cumulative strains of cancer treatment and caregiving.