Exploring Dyadic Experiences of Frailty in Older Adult Patients With Hematologic Neoplasms and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: To explore the experiences of frailty among older adult patients with hematologic neoplasms and their caregivers, from a dyadic perspective. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: A purposive sample of 12 dyads of older adult patients with hematologic neoplasms and their caregivers were recruited between October 2023 and January 2024 at a tertiary hospital in Tianjin, China. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: This study was conducted using a phenomenologic research method. The data were collected through one-on-one semistructured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. FINDINGS: The following four themes were identified among patients and caregivers: (a) core drivers of dyadic coping, (b) positive strategies of dyadic coping, (c) negative ways of dyadic coping, and (d) inherent challenges of dyadic coping. Eleven subthemes also emerged. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: This study identified the support needs of patients and caregivers. In the future, these results will improve nursing practices and support the coping experiences of older adult patients with hematologic neoplasms and their caregivers.