{
  "abstract": "Purpose: To explore how adult autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients experience and appraise symptom constellations during neutropenia, and how these appraisals shape help-seeking and interactions with clinicians. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in an inpatient haematopoietic stem cell transplantation unit in Wuxi, China. Adults aged 18 years or older who had undergone autologous transplantation and were neutropenic were purposively sampled to maximise variation. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-two participants were interviewed between post-transplant day + 5 and +18. Participants described symptoms as interlocking constellations rather than isolated events. They differentiated expected treatment-related toxicities from possible deterioration by attending to symptom trajectories, including worsening intensity, new symptom combinations, or symptoms that felt different from the previous day. Fever-related patterns usually prompted immediate escalation. Help-seeking ranged from prompt reporting to watchful waiting, self-management followed by reporting, or withholding. These responses were shaped by uncertainty, perceived legitimacy of concerns, and reluctance to bother staff during protective isolation. Conclusions: Symptom constellations and symptom trajectories shaped urgency appraisal and help-seeking during inpatient neutropenia after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cluster-informed assessment and escalation coaching may support timelier reporting and safer supportive care in protective isolation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Hematology Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lili Jiang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Junxue Hua"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fang Teng"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ting Xu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hongyun Cao"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jingfen Zhou"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/11z11wbbw4h4n.bib",
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  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0361023",
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  "id": "11z11wbbw4h4n",
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    "1932-6203"
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  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
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  "native_subjects": [
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      "2730|Cancer survivorship and care"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Cellular types/Animal cells/Blood cells/White blood cells/Neutropenia"
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Cellular types/Animal cells/Immune cells/White blood cells/Neutropenia"
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      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune cells/White blood cells/Neutropenia"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Toxicology/Toxicity"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Surgical and invasive medical procedures/Blood and lymphatic system procedures/Stem cell transplantation/Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Surgical and invasive medical procedures/Transplantation/Cell transplantation/Stem cell transplantation/Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation"
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  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0361023&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-15",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/11z11wbbw4h4n.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0361023",
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      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361023"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
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      "origin": "plos:immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
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      "origin": "plos:toxicology",
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  "title": "Symptom clusters and help-seeking behaviours during neutropenia after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study to inform oncology nursing support",
  "title_text": "Symptom clusters and help-seeking behaviours during neutropenia after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study to inform oncology nursing support",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/11z11wbbw4h4n",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
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}