Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Türkiye Klinikleri Hemşirelik Bilimleri Dergisi, cilt.14, sa.4, ss.1135-1143, 2022 (TRDizin)
Objective: The bone marrow transplantation (BMT) units are high-dependency areas, with patients requiring care. Patients in BMT are in need of intensive care due to the treatment applied and complications related to the treatment. This study explores informal caregivers’ experiences and perceptions in (BMT) unit. Material and Methods: Individual interviews were conducted in a semi-structured form. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. A qualitative design was used to describe the caregivers’ experiences in the BMT unit, the caregiving process, and what they felt while giving care, and their expectations. Individual interviews were conducted in a semi-structured form. 24 informal caregivers hospitalized in the BMT of a university hospital who agreed to participate in the study were included in İstanbul, Türkiye. Results: Three major and nine themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) caregiver’s perception, (1a) daily life, (1b) difficulties experienced, (1c) social support, (1d) health problems; (2) thoughts and experiences (2a) feelings, (2b) changes in relationships, (2c) what if I became ill; (3) expectations; (3a) expectations from the future, (3b) expectations from institutions. Conclusion: It was understood in this study that the informal caregivers had difficulties while maintaining their daily lives, felt alone in the process of providing care, experienced a set of psychological problems after the diagnosis, were optimistic about the future, and had expectations from institutions.