aCent - A model for person-centered care and support in allogeneic stem cell transplantation

The aim is to develop, implement and evaluate a model, the aCent model, for nurse-led person-centered support interventions, and evaluate the model’s effect on patients’ and family caregivers’ (FC) quality of life (QoL) in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and to evaluate the implementation processes from the organizations’ perspectives.

The aCent model includes a web-based education for RNs and a systematic approach with conversation tools to identify patients´ and FCs’ support needs and support actions.A quasi-experimental multicenter study of the effects of the model with the intervention at two allo-HSCT centers in Sweden and the other four as control centers will be conducted Nov 2023 - Aug 2025, follow-up until Aug 2026, and exploration of the implementation processes Nov 2022 – Dec 2026.

Patients and FCs answer validated questionnaires, and interviews are performed with patients, FCs, RNs, employees, and managers.

Primary outcome for patients is QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30), and for FCs health and well-being (RAND-36).The aCent project is unique as it systematically introduces and evaluates person-centered support for patients undergoing allo-HSCT and their FCs in a multicenter study.

Through person-centered support, patients’, and FCs’ sense of security increases, their needs are met and thus their quality of life improves.

The aCent model can be implemented at all allo-HSCT centers and with diagnosis-specific adjustments in other cancer care as well.