“What Matters to Me”: What pediatric stem cell transplant patients want their providers to know

Abstract

Objectives

Engagement of pediatric patients in conversations about their healthcare can lead to better psychological and physical outcomes. We used a communication tool called “What Matters to Me” (WMTM) to provide insight into what seriously ill children want to tell their healthcare providers about what is important to them.

Research Approach

Content analysis of completed tools

Participants

21 pediatric patients hospitalized on a stem cell transplant unit.

Methodological Application

Direct content analysis.

Findings

Three themes were identified: importance of personal identity, preferences for communication, and preferences for care delivery.

Interpretations

Children and adolescents with serious medical illnesses are willing to share what matters to them with members of their care team. WMTM provides an opportunity for pediatric units to systematically offer this opportunity to pediatric patients.

Findings for Psychosocial Providers

Children and adolescents are able to identify and share what matters to them with their healthcare providers, providing an opportunity for engagement in medical care.

Keywords:

• Adolescent/young adult
• behavioral health
• interventions
• pediatric
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This article was funded by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Patient Safety and Quality Grants Program at Boston Children's Hospital.