Patients' experiences of living with multiple myeloma
Clare Horgan Cuffe, Mary Quirke, Catherine McCabe
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma is a B-cell haematological malignancy characterised by uncontrolled plasma cell proliferation. Patients with the disease often undergo periods of remission followed by multiple relapses. Understanding patients' experience of living with this chronic condition is key to providing effective patient-centred care. AIMS: This qualitative descriptive study explored the experiences of patients living with multiple myeloma. METHODS: A purposive sample of 6 patients was used. Data were collected using in-depth unstructured interviews and analysed using Colaizzi's (1978) thematic framework. FINDINGS: The emergent themes included: information and communication; treatment and symptom burden; the importance of support from family/friends and professional help; psychosocial elements of survivorship. CONCLUSION: The complex symptoms of multiple myeloma need to be treated holistically to manage the unpredictable nature of this disease.