Title : The importance of assessing the patient experience of hypersensitivity reaction
Abstract:
Purpose: The goal of this research was to describe the patient experience of chemotherapy induced hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) at a major comprehensive cancer institution.
Background: The patient experience of HSR is often accompanied by intense emotional responses. Current guidelines for the management of HSR do not universally address the impact on quality-of-life that a patient may experience during or after the event. What is not known, or captured, is the patients’ emotional experience of the event.
Participants & Setting: Thirty patients who had experienced HSR to chemotherapy and had been referred to the allergy clinic for assessment were invited to participate.
Methodologic Approach: This quantitative descriptive mixed method study was conducted using a patient self-assessment tool, along with one open-ended question that allowed participants to share their experience.
Findings: The qualitative data uncovered three themes that were identified in the group. These include fear of future treatment reactions, confidence in the care team and their own self-confidence. The collected raw data revealed that there was no significant relationship between total scores and age nor grade.
Implications for Nursing: Assessment of the experience of HSR provides nurses with information that allows better care of the patient who may be experiencing distress. Nurse-led research should continue to explore the experience and best assessment of quality of life in patients who have had HSR.
