(NSP-14) An Examination of Perceived Gaps in Multiple Myeloma Education for Nurses

Significant strides have been made in the survival rates of patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM). Now, with new drugs and refined treatment regimens, MM patients have the potential for deeper responses and significantly improved outcomes. Nurses play a crucial role in realizing and maximizing these advancements. As treatments in MM are rapidly evolving across the disease spectrum, the availability of engaging and effective education is critical. We created a live, continuing education symposium at an annual nursing meeting to provide education on MM topics and identify opportunities for future learning.

Methods:

To identify both perceived and unrecognized educational gaps among oncology nurses, we enacted a two-step process. First, all registrants were asked to submit questions in advance of the symposium. Secondly, four pre- and post-test questions were asked during the symposium to assess educational gaps and learning opportunities.

Results:

683 oncology nurses registered, and 601 attended this live event. 44% identified as academic, 55% as community, and 1% both. Collectively, nurses reported seeing over 6,700 MM pts per month, resulting in more than 80,000 interactions with MM pts annually. Fifty-six questions were submitted prior to the meeting, covering 83 topics, which were then categorized according to common themes: Advancements in treatment (n = 15), side effects (n = 10), cellular therapy (n = 12), laboratory testing (n = 8), prognosis (n = 8), and patient education (n = 4). Notably, only two questions mentioned bispecific antibodies (BsAb).

Four pre- and post-test questions were asked during the live meeting to assess knowledge gained on the following topics: cytokine release syndrome, transitions of care, the importance of quadruplet therapies, and disparities. Knowledge was gained with each question, most notably in understanding the impact of quadruplet therapy in achieving MRD negativity, with a 36.6% improvement in correct responses. Gaps remain regarding disparities in MM, with an observed gain of 42.5% and a remaining gap of 51.2%, providing an opportunity for further education.

Conclusions:

The questions submitted by nurses highlight evolving educational needs. Interestingly, there were few questions submitted about BsAb despite its increasing use in community settings, where over half of the symposium’s attendees are in practice, which may indicate a lag in awareness of newer treatments. Nurses requested the latest updates but were unable to formulate specific questions regarding disparities or BsAb. Finally, pre- and post-questions helped verify the continued need for education regarding effective treatment strategies and disparities in MM. Our findings are consistent with other publications, which highlight the need for ongoing education on various MM topics.