Presentation Description:  Returning to the home environment upon discharge from a Stem Cell Transplant can be an incredibly stressful time for patients and families.  Discharge may also mean a return to a referring health care team.  Unique challenges may evolve for both patients, families, and the health care teams involved.  Collaboration to maintain and support trust for all involved is essential to ensure a seamless transfer of care and responsibility for families striving to re-establish life at home. This presentation made use of a composite case study as the basis for interactive discussion issues related to managing post transplant clinical questions and psychosocial issues such as how patient and parent individual coping may influence one’s well-being and successful return to family, community, social and school reintegration.

Workshop Facilitators:

Christine Armstrong, RN (EC), NP/Pediatrics
Division of Haematology/Oncology
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON

Marilyn Cassidy, RN, BA
POGO Pediatric Interlink Community Nurse
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON

Adam Gassas, MCChB, MSc, FRCP, DCH
Physician
Division of Haematology/oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON

Cindy van Halderen, BASc, MSW, RSW
Social Worker, Pediatric Oncology Program
McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON