Navigating decisional conflict as a family when facing the decision of stem cell transplant for a child or adolescent with sickle cell disease

Ginny Lynn Schulz, Katherine Patterson Kelly, Megan Holtmann, Jane Marie Armer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) face unpredictable disease, with stem cell transplant being a curative treatment option with risks. The aim of this study was to describe the level and source of decisional conflict in families of children/adolescents with SCD facing a transplant decision. Methods: A multiple-case study approach described decisional conflict in various SCD severity/donor risk decisional contexts. Cases included parents, child/adolescent with SCD, and sibling donor. The level and source of conflict was measured via O'Connor's Decisional Conflict Scale and analyzed using pattern-matching and cross-case synthesis. In-depth descriptions of conflict sources were obtained through thematic analysis of observation and interview data. Results: Among 11 participants in four cases (i.e. family units) decisional conflict was not unique not to the decisional context. Conflict levels represented a level that can be linked with feeling unsure and decisional delay. The theme, ‘navigating decisional conflict together’, described how family units discussed uncertainties. Conclusion: Varying levels and sources of decisional conflict exist in pediatric patients with SCD and their families considering transplant. Practice Implications: In our cases, decisional conflict and the transplant decision occurred at the family-level. Clinicians should encourage all family members to participate in discussions concerning transplant.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1086-1093
Number of pages8
JournalPatient Education and Counseling
Volume104
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

Keywords

  • Case study
  • Decision making
  • Families
  • Stem cell transplant

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