Psychological issues of stem cell transplant.
OBJECTIVE
To address the psychological impact of transplant on quality of life, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual, for the patient and caregiver, and to discuss the nurse's "emotional labor of caring" and "compassion fatigue" for such an intense vulnerable population.


METHODS
Psychological transplant studies, peer review journals, and textbooks.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychological impact after the experience of transplant can leave an indelible impression on the patient, caregiver, and nurse.


CONCLUSIONS
Suggestions are made for assessment and management of various potential psychological issues for the three mentioned populations. With these issues being better understood, nurses can actively lessen psychological morbidity.
Department of Nursing Research, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA. lcooke@coh.org
Liz
L
Cooke
Robin
R
Gemmill
Kate
K
Kravits
Marcia
M
Grant
D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome