Support interventions offered to family members of a child treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant: A scoping review

Abstract

A scoping review was conducted to explore support interventions for family members of a child treated with a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Three databases (CINAHL, Embase, and Medline) were searched to answer the review question: What are the support interventions offered to family members of a child treated with HSCT, and are they based on a family-centered care approach? Out of 665 screened articles, nine were selected for a full review. Findings revealed two main types of family-centered support interventions: psychological face-to-face and technology-based interventions. The majority of interventions assisted in improving family members' psychological well-being and none included all four principles of the Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care Model. Based on the review findings, to improve both the family members and the child’s psychological well-being and quality of life, all four family-centered care principles should be incorporated within family support interventions.