Life in Limbo: Experiences of Iranian Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipient Patients and Nurses in a Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: This study explored the state of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipient patients and problems experienced by them and nurse about these state and problems, in Iran. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was used for analyzing semi-structured interviews with 12 HSCT recipient patients and 18 nurses. RESULTS: Three main categories described the HSCT state and problems: shadow of death, living with uncertainty, and immersion in problems. Patients treated with risk variety in continuity with probability of death. The patients lived with uncertainty. Consequently these resulted immersion in problems with four sub-categories including: (a) Physical problems, (b) money worries, (c) life disturbances, and (d) emotional strain. CONCLUSION: HSCT patients live in a state of limbo between life and death with multidimensional problems. Establish centers for supporting and educating of patients and their families, education of health care providers, enhancement of public knowledge about HSCT along with allocating more budgets to take care of these patients can help patients for passing from this limbo.