Interpersonal needs expressed by patients during bone marrow transplantation.

The authors sought situations in which interpersonal needs were manifested by patients subjected to bone marrow transplantation. They investigated whether anyone attended to these needs and analyzed the consequences to the patients. Data were collected from 23 participants in the conditioning phase, 19 in the transplantation phase, and 16 in the preparation for discharge phase. Situations involving predominantly the need of expressed control were demonstrated, followed by wished affection and wished inclusion. Inclusion needs were satisfied more frequently in the conditioning phase, whereas control and affection needs were satisfied especially in the preparation for discharge phase. Positive consequences predominated, although negative outcomes also were observed for all needs. Less satisfaction was shown in the transplantation phase, followed by the conditioning and discharge preparation phases. However, all situations involving the need of affection were considered satisfactory by the patients in the preparation for discharge phase.