Engaging Patients in Setting a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Agenda in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Prospective Association of Psychological Distress and Sexual Quality of Life Among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors

Sexual health concerns are one of the most common late effects facing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors. The current study tested whether self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms before transplant were associated with embedded items assessing two specific areas of sexual health-sexual interest and sexual satisfaction-one year post-HSCT. Of the 158 study participants, 41% were diagnosed with a plasma cell disorder (n = 60) and most received autologous transplantation (n = 128; 81%). At post-HSCT, 21% of participants reported they were not at all satisfied with their sex life, and 22% were not at all interested in sex. Greater pre-HSCT depressive symptomology was significantly predictive of lower sexual interest (β = -.27, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = -.39, p < .001) at post-HSCT. Similarly, greater pre-HSCT trait anxiety was significantly predictive of lower sexual interest (β = -.19, p = .02) whereas higher levels of state and trait anxiety were both predictive of lower satisfaction (β = -.22, p = .02 and β = -.29, p = .001, respectively). Participant sex significantly moderated the relationship between state anxiety and sexual satisfaction (b = -.05, t = -2.03, p = .04). Additional research examining the factors that contribute to sexual health post-HCST is needed to inform and implement clinical interventions to address these commonly overlooked survivorship concerns.

Patient engagement in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cell therapy: a survey by the EBMT patient engagement task force & transplantation complications working party

The EBMT (European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Society) aims to connect patients, the scientific community, and other stakeholders to improve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy outcomes. We performed a cross-sectional online survey to understand the perceptions regarding Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Patient Active Involvement in Research (PAIR) in over 800 stakeholders (n = 813). Patients (n = 278) and health care professionals (HCPs) (n = 351) were compared. We observed high openness for EBMT PRO collection (n = 680, 84.5% across stakeholders' groups; patients n = 256, 93.1% versus HCPs n = 273, 78.4% [p < 0.001]) and PAIR (n = 702, 87.3% across stakeholder groups; patients n = 256, 92.4% versus HCPs n = 296, 85.8% [p = 0.009]), with a significantly higher proportion of patients expressing interest compared to HCPs. Priority domains for PROs data-collection identified were the assessment of symptom experience, psychosocial and cognitive functioning. The most important issues for patients specifically were the data-collection of PROs reflecting cognitive function, the option of reporting data at home, the importance of identifying actionable targets to improve their recovery, and receiving feedback on their input when participating in research projects. Our multistakeholder approach suggests an added value to embracing patient engagement in the development of meaningful research and service design within the transplantation and cellular therapy community.

Reducing barriers of access and care related to hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy: The mission-driven role of the national marrow donor program

The treatment of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic disorders continues to benefit from significant scientific advancement and progress in the use of hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies. However, barriers associated with receiving these lifesaving treatments and care remain, which necessitate innovative approaches to overcome, so all persons in need can receive these therapies. This article reviews barriers to receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies, and highlights novel approaches taken by the National Marrow Donor Program in reducing barriers for all patients in need.

Fatigue in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors: Correlates, Care Team Communication, and Patient-Identified Mitigation Strategies

With improved survival after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), the number of individuals at risk for persistent or late effects is increasing. The importance of optimizing HCT survivor health and well-being is mounting. Fatigue is a common post-transplantation symptom that impairs quality of life, yet it remains poorly understood and inadequately addressed. Multiple challenges to addressing fatigue exist, including its multidimensional presentation, multiple (often concomitant) causes, patient-clinician communication barriers, and few highly effective, evidence-based interventions that can be readily implemented. To address these challenges, we sought to better describe the impact and potential causes of fatigue in the post-transplantation setting, fatigue-related communication with clinicians, and the most effective patient-identified mitigation strategies (PIMS) for fatigue. A total of 1703 adult HCT recipients from a single center completed a survey including the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36), PROMIS Fatigue, and other fatigue-related items between July 2017-June 2018. The survey was offered to recipients at their post-transplantation anniversary occurring during this interval. Two independent raters categorized free-text responses about fatigue PIMS. PROMIS Fatigue scores were dichotomized into low (≤55) or high (>55). Associations between high fatigue and participant characteristics and health outcomes were evaluated using the Fisher exact test for categorical variables and the Student 2-sample t test for continuous variables. Among the 1660 respondents with evaluable fatigue scores, 67% underwent allogeneic HCT. The majority of these (n = 1588; 96%) had a malignancy, with hematologic malignancy the most common diagnostic category (n = 1555; 94%). The median time post-transplantation was 11 years (interquartile range, 4 to 20 years). PROMIS item responses indicate that 44% of patients were at least somewhat fatigued and 37% were at least somewhat bothered by it. The mean fatigue score was 50.2 ± 11; 591 patients (36%) had high fatigue, which was associated with worse SF-36 scores across all domains (General Health, Physical Functioning, Emotional Well-being/Mental Health, Social Functioning, Role Limitation due to Physical Health, Role Limitation due to Emotional Health, Vitality [eg, energy], and Bodily Pain). High fatigue also was associated with self-reported chronic graft-versus-host disease, anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Diagnosis of plasma cell disorder and receipt of an autologous transplant were associated with high fatigue (P = .001). Among the 553 individuals who received an autologous transplant, 226 (41%) had multiple myeloma. Compared with the autologous transplant recipients without myeloma group, those with multiple myeloma were significantly more likely to have high fatigue (109 of 226 [48%] versus 118 of 325 [36%]; P < .01). Twenty percent of the patients with high fatigue did not discuss it with their care team. Among the 89 different reasons provided for not discussing it, the most common was "thought they already knew the answer" (n = 21). The 370 survivors with high fatigue who identified at least 1 most effective PIMS generated a total of 639 PIMS. Although the PIMS for fatigue spanned a wide array of strategies, most PIMS were related to sleep/rest (n = 192; 30%) or exercise (n = 139; 22%). Although fatigue is associated with worse HCT survivor-reported outcomes, it is only sometimes discussed with care teams. Survivors identify specific strategies that are most effective. Given its prevalence and impact, clinicians should promote communication about fatigue, treat underlying causes, and recommend sleep/rest and exercise, recognizing that individualized approaches also may be beneficial.

Sexual function of adult long-term survivors and their partners after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in Europe (S-FAST): a study from the Transplant Complications Working Party and Nurses Group of the EBMT

Sexual dysfunction after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a common long-term complication. We conducted a European multicenter cross-sectional study of adult allo-HCT recipients who had survived >2 years and their partners to investigate sexual functioning after HCT and to evaluate whether discussion about sexual functioning between the transplant team and the survivor and partner was perceived to have taken place. In total, 136 survivors (77 males, 59 females) and 81 partners (34 males, 47 females) participated. Median age was 56 and 54 years in male and female survivors, respectively. Forty-seven percent of male and 65% of female survivors and 57% of male and 59% of female partners reported clinically relevant sexual problems. Sixty-two percent of survivors and 79% of partners reported that sexual functioning had not been discussed with them during transplant. Standardized sexual functioning scores were correlated with self-reported health status in survivors (rho = 0.24, p = 0.009). The high prevalence of sexual dysfunction warrants additional studies focusing on the impact of changes in sexuality for patients as well as their partners. Future studies should also investigate which methods that are effective in preventing or treating sexual problems after allo-HCT.

Bringing Patient and Caregivers Voices to the Clinical Trial Chorus: A Report From the BMT CTN Patient and Caregiver Advocacy Task Force

The Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN), funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute for more than 2 decades, is focused on improving the outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and other cellular therapies. It answered critical questions about conditioning intensity, donor choice, graft-versus-host disease prevention and treatment, and relapse mitigation strategies in a manner made possible by an extensive network of centers that have enrolled more than 16,000 patients to more than 55 trials. Although the BMT CTN has engaged patients in a variety of ways since its establishment, there is a growing realization that increasing that engagement and including caregivers offers many additional benefits to patients and investigators alike. Bringing the voice of patients and caregivers to clinical trial design is likely to enhance trial participation and reduce barriers to recruitment/retention. Unless clinical trials are designed with unique considerations of patients who have socioeconomic and access challenges, these populations will remain under-represented in HCT trials with limited generalizability of results. The next main frontier in our field is patient and caregiver access to high-quality HCT facilities coupled with the opportunity to participate in relevant, meaningful clinical research. In 2021, the BMT CTN Executive Committee convened a Patient and Caregiver Advocacy Task Force with a diverse membership representing a variety of stakeholders. The charge to the Task Force was to provide achievable recommendations for incorporating patient input at all steps of clinical trial development from initial concept to dissemination of results. Four focus areas were identified: (1) patient and caregiver input in research portfolio; (2) patient engagement in informed consent, protocol development and trial conduct; (3) communication to patients about trial progress, primary outcomes and secondary analyses; and (4) increased awareness among patients who may be considering BMT or cell therapy about BMT CTN trials. Three specific initiatives were considered as high priority by the Task Force: Fostering patient and caregiver engagement in development of the research portfolio and protocols; Developing communication plans for ongoing studies; and Simplifying the process for informed consent to make it more patient friendly. The BMT CTN has established a patient and caregiver advocacy committee that is tasked with developing concrete steps to incorporate recommendations of the BMT CTN Task Force in its current and future work. The BMT CTN recognizes patient and caregivers are valuable partners whose voice will enhance the conduct of impactful trials in BMT and cell therapy.

eHealth-Generated Patient Data in an Outpatient Setting after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Scoping Review

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) has the potential to cure malignant and nonmalignant diseases but remains associated with a wide range of complications, necessitating dedicated lifelong follow-up. While patients are monitored closely during the peri-HCT period, leaving the hospital setting after HCT introduces new challenges. This scoping review explores the current use of patient-generated eHealth data in the outpatient setting. A systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, American Psychological Association PsycINFO, and International Health Technology Assessment databases in July 2021 identified the 22 studies (13 full text articles and 9 abstracts) included in this review. The large majority were small to medium-sized (n = 15; 68.2%) pilot or feasibility studies (n = 18; 81.8%) that were published between 2016 and 2021 (n = 16; 72.7%). Collection of patient-reported outcomes was the most frequently reported eHealth intervention (n = 14; 63.6%), followed by vital sign monitoring (n = 5; 22.7%) and home-based spirometry (n = 3; 13.6%), mostly in the early post-transplantation setting. eHealth interventions had favorable feasibility and acceptability profiles; however, we found little data on the efficacy, long-term monitoring, data security, and cost-effectiveness of eHealth interventions. Larger randomized studies are warranted to draw formal conclusions about the impact of eHealth on HCT outcomes and the best ways to incorporate eHealth in clinical practice.

Using conversation analysis to appraise how novel educational videos impact patient medical education

OBJECTIVE

To determine in what ways, if any, do patients, caregivers, and nurses make videos relevant during in-person education.

METHODS

We applied conversation analysis to analyze interaction in 12 nurse-led education visits (1011 min of audio) in which speakers referred to a supplemental education video.

RESULTS

Patients initiated talk about the video in about half of the clinic visits analyzed, while nurses initiated talk about the video across all clinic visits analyzed. Interactions showed that patients demonstrated knowledge of video content and clarified information concerning their treatment plans by asking questions of nurses. Nurses referenced the video prior to repeating information that they recognized patients had viewed. In all instances analyzed, nurses made references to the videos in ways that re-oriented conversations back toward the content of the informal scripts that they used to deliver patient education.

CONCLUSION

Patients referenced the video in ways that demonstrated that they had viewed it and had gained knowledge concerning treatment plans, and to ask specific questions about these. Nurses referred to the videos by acknowledging patients' prior knowledge of upcoming information.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Understanding how pre-delivered supplemental videos impact patient involvement in in-person education contributes understanding to how video-based instruction supports patient-centered care.

Psychosocial and financial issues after hematopoietic cell transplantation

With improvement in survival after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), it has become important to focus on survivors' psychosocial issues in order to provide patient-centered care across the transplant continuum. The goals of this article are to describe updates in the literature on certain psychosocial domains (emotional/mental health and social/financial) in HCT survivors, offer a brief overview of the status of the screening and management of these complications, and identify opportunities for future practice and research. An evidence-based approach to psychosocial care can be broken down as primary (promoting health, raising awareness, and addressing risk factors), secondary (screening and directing early pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions), and tertiary (rehabilitating, limiting disability, and improving quality of life) prevention. Implementing such an approach requires close coordination between multiple stakeholders, including transplant center staff, referring hematologist/oncologists, and other subspecialists in areas such as palliative medicine or psychiatry. Innovative models of care that leverage technology can bring these stakeholders together to fulfill unmet needs in this area by addressing barriers in the delivery of psychosocial care.

Biobehavioral Research and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Expert Review from the Biobehavioral Research Special Interest Group of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for many hematologic conditions. Despite advances in conditioning and supportive measures, however, there remain significant comorbidities that threaten survivorship. Adverse effects of stress-related biobehavioral processes-defined here as the interactions of behavioral, psychological, and socioenvironmental factors with biology-impact immune recovery and function and are particularly salient in the HCT context, given the importance of immune reconstitution for improved survivorship. However, biobehavioral processes have been underinvestigated in this vulnerable group compared with other cancer populations. Here the Biobehavioral Research Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy provides an expert review to inform research directions explicating the biological correlates of behavioral symptoms and evaluate the impact of these on HCT outcomes. The goal of this expert review is to provide a foundation for advancing science that effectively integrates behavioral and biological processes to optimize quality of life and improve clinical outcomes for HCT recipients.

Late effects after ablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation for adolescent and young adult acute myeloid leukemia

There is marked paucity of data regarding late effects in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who undergo myeloablative conditioning (MAC) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated late effects and survival in 826 1-year disease-free survivors of MAC HCT for AYA AML, with an additional focus on comparing late effects based upon MAC type (total body irradiation [TBI] vs high-dose chemotherapy only). The estimated 10-year cumulative incidence of subsequent neoplasms was 4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2%-6%); 10-year cumulative incidence of nonmalignant late effects included gonadal dysfunction (10%; 95% CI, 8%-13%), cataracts (10%; 95% CI, 7%-13%), avascular necrosis (8%; 95% CI, 5%-10%), diabetes mellitus (5%; 95% CI, 3%-7%), and hypothyroidism (3%; 95% CI, 2%-5%). Receipt of TBI was independently associated with a higher risk of cataracts only (hazard ratio [HR], 4.98; P < .0001) whereas chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was associated with an increased risk of cataracts (HR, 3.22; P = .0006), avascular necrosis (HR, 2.49; P = .006), and diabetes mellitus (HR, 3.36; P = .03). Estimated 10-year overall survival and leukemia-free survival were 73% and 70%, respectively, and did not differ on the basis of conditioning type. In conclusion, late effects among survivors of MAC HCT for AYA AML are frequent and are more closely linked to cGVHD than type of conditioning.

Sexual Functioning in Long-Term Survivors of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This investigation characterized sexual activity and sexual function in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors, compared them with norms, and examined factors associated with sexual dysfunction, with the goal of identifying targets for intervention to improve sexual health. Surviving adults from a large transplantation center were asked to complete an annual survey with a core of health questions and a module on sexual activity and function. Participants completed the Sexual Function Questionnaire, Cancer and Treatment Distress form, and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Clinical data were collected from the transplantation medical database. Multivariate logistic regressions identified factors associated with sexual activity and function. Participating survivors (n = 1742) were a mean of 11.9 years (range, .4 to 43.1 years) after HCT, mean age 57.6 years, and 53% male. Women were more likely than men to report being sexually inactive in the past year (39% versus 27%) and, among those sexually active, to report low sexual function (64% versus 32%). Male and female survivors reported lower rates of sexual activity and function than comparison norms (all P < .01). In regressions, factors associated with being sexually inactive included older age, having <4 years of college education, low performance status, and not being in a committed relationship. Additional factors for men included receipt of nonmyeloablative conditioning and not being employed or in school. Low sexual functioning for men and women was associated with low performance status, and, for women, a committed relationship of lower quality, while for men the association was with older age. Sexual dysfunction is common in both men and women after HCT, regardless of time since treatment. Survivors need routine evaluation and access to multimodal interventions.

Partnering with frail or seriously ill patients in research: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The expectation to include patients as partners in research has steadily gained momentum. The vulnerability of frail and/or seriously ill patients provides additional complexity and may deter researchers from welcoming individuals from this patient population onto their teams. The aim was to synthesize the evidence on the engagement of frail and/or seriously ill patients as research partners across the research cycle.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. A search strategy included MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO from database inception to April, 2019. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research reporting on the engagement of frail and/or seriously ill patients as partners on research teams. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to appraise study quality. Narrative analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Of 8763 citations, 30 were included. Most studies included individuals with cancer on the research team (60%). Barriers included: lack of time and resources (50%), discontinuity in contribution (37%), and concerns for well-being (33%). Facilitators included: trust and mutual respect (60%), structural accessibility (57%), flexibility in timing and methods of engagement (43%), and attention to care and comfort, (33%). Perceived impacts for patients included: renewed personal sense of agency (37%) and emotional/peer support (37%). Impacts for researchers included sensitization to the lived experience of disease (57%) and an increased appreciation of the benefits of patient engagement (23%). Research design, execution, and outcomes, developed with patients, were deemed more suitable, relevant and reflective of patients' priorities.

CONCLUSIONS

There is emerging evidence to suggest that research partnerships with frail and/or seriously ill patients can be achieved successfully. Patients mostly report benefit from partnering with research teams. Frailty and/or serious illness do present legitimate concerns for their well-being but appear to be successfully mitigated when researchers ensure that the purpose of engagement is well-defined, the timing and methods of engagement are flexible, and the practical and emotional needs of patient partners are addressed throughout the process.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

The systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO (CRD42019127994).

Long-term Follow-up of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors: A Focus on Screening, Monitoring, and Therapeutics

Annually, ~50,000 patients undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) worldwide with almost 22,000 of these patients receiving HCT in the United States. HCT is a curative option for a wide range of hematologic malignancies, and advances in transplantation medicine have resulted in an increase in HCT survivors. It is anticipated that the number of HCT survivors will more than double from 242,000 in 2020 to ~500,000 in 2030. Survivors of HCT are at an increased risk of developing late complications due to exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation in the pre-, peri-, and post-HCT phases and these cumulative exposures have the potential to damage normal tissue. This tissue damage leads to the early onset of chronic health conditions resulting in premature mortality in HCT survivors, who have a 15-year cumulative incidence of severe or life-threatening chronic health conditions exceeding 40%. Due to the significant burden of morbidity in HCT survivors and the delay in the development of long-term complications, this delicate patient population requires life-long monitoring due to the risk for neuropsychological, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, ocular, skeletal, cardiac, endocrine, fertility, and sexual health complications, as well as secondary neoplasms. This review will focus on recent advances in screening, monitoring, and therapeutics for late-occurring or long-term complications in HCT survivors.

Liberal Versus Restrictive Red Blood Cell Transfusion Thresholds in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Randomized, Open Label, Phase III, Noninferiority Trial

PURPOSE

Evidence regarding red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices and their impact on hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes are poorly understood.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a noninferiority randomized controlled trial in four different centers that evaluated patients with hematologic malignancies requiring HCT who were randomly assigned to either a restrictive (hemoglobin [Hb] threshold < 70 g/L) or liberal (Hb threshold < 90 g/L) RBC transfusion strategy between day 0 and day 100. The noninferiority margin corresponds to a 12% absolute difference between groups in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT) score relative to baseline. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measured by FACT-BMT score at day 100. Additional end points were collected: HRQOL by FACT-BMT score at baseline and at days 7, 14, 28, 60, and 100; transplantation-related mortality; length of hospital stay; intensive care unit admissions; acute graft-versus-host disease; Bearman toxicity score; sinusoidal obstruction syndrome; serious infections; WHO Bleeding Scale; transfusion requirements; and reactions to therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 300 patients were randomly assigned to either restrictive-strategy or liberal-strategy treatment groups between 2011 and 2016 at four Canadian adult HCT centers. After HCT, mean pre-transfusion Hb levels were 70.9 g/L in the restrictive-strategy group and 84.6 g/L in the liberal-strategy group (P < .0001). The number of RBC units transfused was lower in the restrictive-strategy group than in the liberal-strategy group (mean, 2.73 units [standard deviation, 4.81 units] v 5.02 units [standard deviation, 6.13 units]; P = .0004). After adjusting for transfusion type and baseline FACT-BMT score, the restrictive-strategy group had a higher FACT-BMT score at day 100 (difference of 1.6 points; 95% CI, -2.5 to 5.6 points), which was noninferior compared with that of the liberal-strategy group. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the transfusion strategies.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing HCT, the use of a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy threshold of 70 g/L was as effective as a threshold of 90 g/L and resulted in similar HRQOL and HCT outcomes with fewer transfusions.

Adult Cancer Survivors' Engagement and Interest in Patient-Centered Research

BACKGROUND

Limited information is available about the representativeness of survivors engaging in patient-centered research, despite the potential for threats to generalizability. We thus aimed to assess the representativeness of survivors engaged or interested in research development.

METHODS

We used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey, a nationally representative survey, to identify survivors of adult cancers. Our outcomes of interest were based on responses to questions about engagement or interest in developing patient-centered research. We estimated the ratio of relative frequencies (RRF) and corresponding 95% confidence limits (CL) of sociodemographic and survivorship characteristics between survivors engaged or interested in patient-centered research and the overall survivor population.

RESULTS

Our study population comprised 934 survivors, of whom 5% reported being engaged in patient-centered research and 26% reported an interest in participating. Relative frequencies of characteristics were discordant for engaged survivors but largely similar for interested survivors compared with all survivors. In particular, engaged survivors had a higher relative frequency of individuals ages 50 to 64 years (RRF = 1.7; 95% CL, 1.1-2.5), Hispanic (RRF = 2.9; 95% CL, 1.2-6.9), non-Hispanic Black (RRF = 2.9; 95% CL, 1.1-2.5), and unemployment (RRF = 4.7; 95% CL, 1.4-16).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed several meaningful differences in the characteristics of survivors engaged in patient-centered research compared with all survivors, which raises concerns about the generalizability of findings from such studies.

IMPACT

Patient-centered research may not benefit the broader survivor community if survivors engaging in research development are not representative of all survivors. Greater attention to recruiting mechanisms is necessary to avoid creating disparities.

A Conceptual Framework and Key Research Questions in Educational Needs of Blood and Marrow Transplantation Patients, Caregivers, and Families

Patient, caregiver, and family education and support was 1 of 6 key areas of interest identified by the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match 2-year project to prioritize patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) goals for the blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) community. PCOR focuses on research to help patients and their caregivers make informed decisions about health care. Therefore, each area of interest was assigned to a working group with broad representation, including patients, caregivers, and clinicians. Each working group was charged with identifying gaps in knowledge and making priority recommendations for critical research to fill those gaps. The report from this working group presents a conceptual framework to address gaps in knowledge regarding patient and caregiver education in BMT and recommendations for priority research questions on this topic.

The Effect of Psychosocial Interventions on Outcomes for Caregivers of Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients are required to have a caregiver present for up to 100 days post-transplant. Caregivers provide essential support during HCT but experience immense stress and burden. Increasing research has developed interventions for HCT caregivers. This review systematically evaluates psychosocial interventions for caregivers of HCT patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

The search yielded 12 studies (7 efficacy and 5 feasibility studies) enrolling 931 caregivers. Interventions were feasible and acceptable as evidenced by high rates of completion (70-100%) with attrition due to patient morbidity or mortality. Feasibility was augmented by flexible delivery (in-person, teleconference, smartphones, or Web-based platforms). Acceptability was demonstrated by objective measures of satisfaction. Effectiveness was found for fatigue and mental health service use, but not for burden, sleep-quality, and inconsistently for caregiver depression, anxiety, coping, and quality of life. Psychosocial interventions are feasible, acceptable, and show mixed effects on HCT caregiver outcomes.