Rehabilitation is a ‘complex problem-solving process’ in which therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy are delivered to cancer patients with the aim to improve physical function, social integration, and quality of life.1 Research on Haematological Cancer rehabilitation has been widely neglected and excluded from previous studies. This can widely be attributed to the fact Haematological malignancies are primarily treated by allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Despite improving survival rates among patients, the prevalence of Graft versus Host disease (GvHD) post-allogenic-HSCT forces many patients to undergo immunosuppressive therapy (IST) to prevent GvHD or further organ damage. GvHD and IST, along with patients’ compromised immunity, frequency of infection and increased hospitalizations, largely contribute to the drastic decline in physical function, which has negatively impacted the feasibility of providing rehabilitation. Mounting evidence shows the benefits of rehabilitation on cancer patients’ long and short-term outcomes. However, there are no standardized guidelines for practice for Haematological cancer rehabilitation, contributing to the lack of awareness and provision of treatment by specialists to this group of patients.3 Thus, the central research question aims to determine the rehabilitation needs and strategies in Haematological cancer to improve patient outcomes. I will first conduct a systematic review to determine what is currently known about the rehabilitation needs and strategies in Haematological cancer. I will also conduct qualitative research through interviewing Haematological healthcare providers from across Ireland to assess their views of the rehabilitation needs and strategies for haematological cancer. I believe that through a systematic review of the literature and qualitative research voicing the beliefs of healthcare professionals’ view of the rehabilitation needs and strategies required by this group of patients, we can highlight this area of research for future study and development, to positively improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
