Return to school practices after hematopoietic cell transplantation: a survey of transplant centers in the United States

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2024 May;59(5):653-659. doi: 10.1038/s41409-024-02239-w. Epub 2024 Feb 20.

Abstract

To understand transplant center recommendations on return-to-school timing and related support for hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) survivors, we conducted a two-phase, cross-sectional, web-based survey: In Phase I, medical directors of pediatric HCT centers from the National Marrow Donor Program/ Be The Match Registry were asked regarding the availability of a return to school standardized operating procedure (SOP). In Phase II, HCT physician members of the Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium were approached to study inter-physician practice variability regarding return to school post-HCT, factors affecting their decision-making, and support provided by HCT centers for return to school. Out of 46 respondents in Phase I (55% response rate), 28 (61%) reported having a SOP. Wide variations in recommendations were noted in 12 received SOPs. In Phase II, 122 physicians (60 centers) responded (30.6% response rate). The majority (60%) recommended autologous HCT recipients return to school within 6 months post-HCT but 65% recommended allogeneic HCT recipients return to school after 6 months or once off immunosuppression. Our findings indicate a lack of consensus within and across HCT centers regarding recommended return to school timing and underscore need for a guideline to standardize this process to ensure patient safety and re-integration into school.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schools
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States