An Iterative Formative Evaluation of Medical Education for Multiple Myeloma Patients Receiving Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer characterized by abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow, resulting in increased risk of infection. Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the most effective treatment for MM, but successful transplant requires the patient and caregiver to learn and independently implement medical tasks. The Ready for Transplant (R4T) ethnographic-based formative evaluation includes evaluation of ongoing patient education and the addition of novel supplemental educational videos that patients can review before in-person transplant education. To evaluate R4T, a formative evaluation informed by utilization-orientated evaluation theories, including over 150  hours of ethnographic observation of nurse/patient education (N = 70), plus retrospective and prospective patient (N = 35) and clinician interviews (N = 7) was conducted over 18 months. Through thematic analysis, barriers and facilitators of the patient’s ability to process education surrounding ASCT were identified. Barriers included anxiety surrounding what to expect in ASCT, anxiety surrounding what to expect at the education visit, over whelming volume of information, lack of medical expertise, and disengaged patients, while facilitators included large social networks willing to help and clinician adjusting script to meet unique needs of the patient. This manuscript represents an iterative method for improving on education that peo ple with MM receive surrounding ASCT....
Source: Journal of Cancer Education - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research