Patients, APPs Wish for Increased Educational Resources Surrounding MM

A survey of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and advanced practice providers (APP) who treat MM, including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), indicated a desire for increased educational resources surrounding the treatment and diagnosis of MM.

The survey, conducted as part of the collaborative ASPHO/Janssen Make it HAPPEN Research project and presented at JADPRO Live 2023, the Annual APSHO Meeting, aimed to “identify patient and APP perceptions regarding value of APPs in patient care, understand MM-related educational gaps for APPs and patients, and highlight challenges to APP involvement in the care of patients with MM,” according to the authors.

The survey included 100 adults with MM, 131 NPs, and 69 PAs who see at least three patients with MM per year (average 63 patients with MM per year). Of the 100 patient respondents, 9% were familiar with MM prior to diagnosis, 54% wished they had received more educational materials upon diagnosis, and 50% felt the materials provided were difficult to understand. Meanwhile, 57% of patients expressed a desire for more resources regarding therapeutic decision-making.

More than half (55%) of patients reported having an NP, PA, or clinical nurse specialist on their care team, but 30% incorrectly identified nurses as an APP. Following educational intervention, 93% of patients with an APP on their care team marked them as “essential to MM care,” while 56% of patients reported being “very comfortable” communicating with an APP.

Of the 200 APPs surveyed, 72% reported being “generally knowledgeable” about MM before seeing their first patient, but 87% wished they had been more knowledgeable. Less than half (47%) received formal training or education in MM, while 66% have a hard time staying updated on MM information.

Most APPs (94%) indicated a desire for increased MM-specific educational resources moving forward, including events (51%), formal training (48%), and websites dedicated to MM (37%).

“Newly provided educational resources may improve the quality of discussion and care provided during time with the patient, leading to increased job satisfaction for APPs,” the authors noted.

Reference

Harding S and Mikhael J. Patient and APP perceptions in myeloma: roles, challenges, and educational needs. Abstract #JL1111P. Presented at JADPRO Live 2023, the Annual ASPHO Meeting; November 9-12, 2023; Orlando, Florida.