PURPOSE
This study attempts to explore the experiences of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation (HSCD) among donors and experts of HSCD-related institutions in South Korea.
METHODS
In July 2017, 7 donors and 8 experts with experience of HSCD-related work were interviewed. The transcribed data were qualitatively analyzed to identify major themes and sub-themes representing the experiences of the donors and experts.
RESULTS
The analysis indicated that donors' HSCD-related experiences were structured into 5 themes (“Lack of understanding of HSCD”, “Difficulty in decision-making regarding HSCD”, “Major hassles involving HSCD”, “Meaningful experiences and hopefulness” and “More effort by government and institutions for future donors”). The experts' experiences were structured into 4 themes (“Improving the donation procedure through government support”, “Improving the donation procedure through campaign reinforcement”, “Donors' characteristics”, and “Meaning of my job”).
CONCLUSION
HSCD-related institutions must manage donors more carefully. This would involve keeping them aware of what they are likely to experience throughout the donation procedure, follow-up monitoring, and continuous support. Efforts should be taken to inform nurses involved in HSCD of research on donors' experiences, and they must be systematically trained to ease donors' difficulties.

Citations

• Physical and Psychological Discomfort Experienced by Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Donors
  Miok Kim, Tai-Gyu Kim, Su-Hee Beom
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(7): 2316.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
Cancer diagnosis and treatment affect patient fertility. Although the reproductive method has been well studied, early assessment of fertility and discussions of infertility-related issues are not very common. This study evaluated oncology nurses' knowledge regarding fertility preservation for patients with cancer.
METHODS
This study was conducted from March 11 to May 13, 2015 using a convenience sample of nurses who were caring for patients with cancer at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. We recruited 123 oncology nurses and used questionnaires to collect cross-sectional data regarding their knowledge about the causes of fertility impairment (Cause score), fertility preservation in general (General score), and methods of fertility preservation (Method score).
RESULTS
The mean total score of fertility preservation knowledge was 15.46±3.64, and the mean Cause, General, and Method scores were 6.28±1.86 out of 11, 5.72±1.50 out of 8, and 3.54±1.19 out of 6, respectively. Significant differences in knowledge levels were found according to nurses' marital status and total nursing experience. Nurses who assessed the issue of fertility upon the first encounter with patients and provided active nursing care had the greatest knowledge.
CONCLUSION
Oncology nurses should have in-depth understanding of fertility preservation and must discuss the topic with patients with cancer. Nurses should also identify each patient's individual needs through continuous assessment and provide referrals to appropriate specialists both before and during treatment.

Citations

• Oncofertility Experience in Young Women with Breast Cancer
  Jisung Park, Aekyung Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2025; 32(1): 82.     CrossRef
• Psychometric properties of the Korean version of the oncofertility barriers scales among nurses: A methodological study
  Hae Jeong An, Yoonjung Kim
  Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 10(9): 100275.     CrossRef