Long-Term Treatment Burden in Multiple Myeloma

Jill Burke, NP, and Tanika Pittman, APRN, discuss the operational and patient-related challenges of maintaining long-term therapy for multiple myeloma, with an emphasis on adherence, treatment burden, and preserving quality of life. Jill highlights the importance of the ongoing relationship between APPs and their patients, describing how she works with patients to incorporate personal priorities, including travel, into long-term treatment planning when clinically appropriate. Tanika emphasizes that treatment burden can accumulate over months or years through repeated appointments, laboratory testing, oral medications, specialty pharmacy requirements, paperwork, and travel to the clinic. The faculty discuss the importance of regularly asking whether treatment can be made easier without compromising care, including consideration of more convenient administration options and thoughtful scheduling. Tanika also emphasizes that individual treatment interruptions or missed doses should be addressed within the broader treatment plan and clinical context rather than viewed in isolation. Both faculty members reinforce the importance of ensuring that each clinic visit has a clear purpose and that care teams continually work to reduce unnecessary burden. For patients with multiple myeloma, these practical strategies can support sustained engagement with treatment while helping patients maintain meaningful activities and overall satisfaction throughout their long-term care journey.