Background: Published literature about A-SCT recipients’ experiences focus mainly on issues of survivorship, with increasing interest in the supportive care needs of this group.
Aim: The study aimed to firstly review A-SCT recipients’ access to psychosocial and supportive care services at a single centre in Sydney, Australia following relapse after transplant, and secondly to explore any association between access to psychosocial and supportive care services and end of life outcome measures.
Design: The study used a retrospective, observational study.
Method: Eligible recipients’ electronic medical records were reviewed between 2017 and 2023, with data collected, stored and analysed in accordance with the NSLHD HREC approved project proposal. Data was presented as mean, standard deviation, median, range, and proportions with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The association between access to Social Work and Palliative Care services with acute hospital admission last month, ICU admission, and place of death was presented using contingency tables and tested using Chi-square.
Results: There were 69 eligible participants in the study representing almost 30% of total A-SCT at the centre, with almost 80% of participants sadly deceased from disease. Median time between A-SCT and relapse was 7.13 months and median time between relapse and end of life was also 3.76 months. 86% of recipients had contact with a Social Worker with a median time of 22 days following relapse. 59% were seen by a Palliative Care Clinician with a median of 63 days following relapse. 72% of recipients died in an acute hospital ward or intensive care unit. Contact with Palliative Care was associated with end of life care within a palliative care unit or at home.
Conclusion: Earlier and more consistent access to psychosocial and supportive care is likely to improve end of life experiences for recipients of A-SCT and their families.