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