4064 - Quality of life in survivors of adult haematological malignancies

Background

The treatment for haematological malignancies is lengthy, complex and intense, leading to potentially debilitating symptoms and reduced health-related quality of life. Patients are living longer due to advancements in early detection and significant improvements in treatment. While treatments for haematological malignancies dramatically increase survivability, many patients suffer from debilitating side effects during and following their treatment. Survivors can suffer long-term effects of both treatment and disease. They may be left with permanent, often devastating, physical impairments leading to an increased risk of other illnesses or a lower quality of life. The presentation is part of a mixed methods study and aims to deepen our understanding of the quality of lives of survivors of adult haematological malignancy. The study will contribute to the under-researched topic related to adult survivors of a haematological malignancy.

Methods

The participants (n = 11) were adults who had completed treatment for a haematological malignancy and were between 1-5 years post-treatment. A qualitative research process of inquiry was used to explore the quality of lives of survivors of haematological malignancy. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted, based on the content and structure of the interviews envisaged being grounded in the findings of the quantitative phase of the study.

Results

Four themes and several subthemes were generated and reviewed from the qualitative data analysis. The key themes identified in this cohort were:(1) Physical wellbeing (2) Psychological wellbeing (3) Independence and (4) Supportive care needs.

Conclusions

Enhancing these survivors’ physical, psychological wellbeing, an understanding of what independence means to them and addressing supportive care needs can optimise their QoL. Knowledge and understanding of these factors and addressing these needs may provide an insight into implementation measures to enhance the same.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Bournemouth University.

Funding

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.