Publications by authors named "Hilda Mekelenkamp"

Introduction: The assessment of using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) within comprehensive care follow-up programmes, specifically focused on health screening, remains largely unexplored. PROs were implemented in our late effects and comprehensive care programme after paediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nonmalignant diseases. The programme focuses solely on screening of physical and mental health and on discussing PROs during the consultation.

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Background: To provide insight into the perspectives of children and young adults with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and sickle cell disease and their caregivers regarding the decision for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Procedure: A qualitative longitudinal multicenter study. Data collection consisted of 40 audio-recorded conversations between physicians and families and 77 interviews with patients and/or caregivers related to 27 unique cases, collected at different time points throughout the decision-making process.

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Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience a considerable physical and psychosocial disease burden. In recent years, the application of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to treat adults with SCD has increased. A thorough understanding of patients' physical, mental, and social health before and after cure is needed to meet the needs of this growing group of patients.

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Introduction: An understanding of the long-term psychosocial impact of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nonmalignant diseases is needed to optimize pre-HSCT counselling, supportive care and long-term follow-up programmes after HSCT for this group of patients and caregivers.

Methods: This qualitative study included 14 patients who underwent transplantation for a nonmalignant disease during childhood. In-depth interviews were held online to explore patients' perspectives on the long-term psychosocial impact of HSCT on their lives.

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Sufficient communication between hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) teams is pivotal for a successful advanced support in the PICU for HSCT-related complications. We evaluated perceived communication and barriers between both teams with the aim of providing recommendations for improvement. In this cross-sectional survey, a self-designed online questionnaire was distributed among ESPNIC and EBMT members.

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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation decision-making for hemoglobinopathy patients is a complex process, and it remains difficult for health care professionals to decide whether and when a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation should be offered. Gaining insight into health care professionals' considerations is required to understand and optimize this decision-making process. A qualitative interview study using semi-structured interviews with eighteen health care professionals.

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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used in pediatric patients as a successful curative therapy for life-threatening conditions. The treatment is intensive, with risks of serious complications and lethal outcomes. This study aimed to provide insight into current data on the place and cause of death of transplanted children, the available specialized pediatric palliative care services (SPPCS), and what services HSCT professionals feel the SPPCS team should provide.

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Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers an established curative option for sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia patients but is associated with significant risks. Decision making is a complex process and shared decision making (SDM) could be a fitting approach in case of such preference-sensitive decisions. This study investigated what level of SDM is used in conversations with hemoglobinopathy patients and/or their caregivers considering HSCT as a curative treatment option.

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Sexual health is an important aspect of quality-of-life for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. AYAs report a need for information about sexual health but experience a lack of communication with their healthcare provider. It is known that sexual health is a difficult theme for healthcare providers to discuss.

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Background: In pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the end-of-life (EOL) phase and the loss of the child is often characterized by a sudden deterioration of the child following a period of intensive curative treatment. This demands a fast transition for parents. Therefore, an understanding of the parents' perspective on decision-making in such a complex situation is needed.

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