The aftermath of bone marrow transplant for parents of pediatric patients: a post-traumatic stress disorder.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a child's bone marrow transplant (BMT) experience that may precipitate a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the parent.

DATA SOURCES: Published articles, books, and the authors' clinical experience.

DATA SYNTHESIS: When viewed from the PTSD framework, parental reactions to a child's BMT offer striking parallels that include assessment of the event as traumatic, re-experiencing the event, intrusive thoughts, and a variety of emotional and cognitive responses. Interventions based on PTSD research can be implemented in clinical settings to diminish and treat these responses.

CONCLUSIONS: The PTSD framework holds promise for healthcare providers in devising strategies to help families of children undergoing BMT to cope with the experience.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can use orientation, education, coaching, and peer support to help families before BMT and debriefing and counseling after BMT.