As the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic unfolded in 2020, Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) became aware that the healthcare, treatment, and lives of myeloma and AL amyloidosis patients and their families were impacted by new health policies and national restrictions related to COVID-19.
With the aim of discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the health policies and restrictions imposed, affected the healthcare and lives of people with myeloma and AL amyloidosis and their caregivers, Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) conducted four focus groups in Europe examining the views and experiences of patients with myeloma and AL amyloidosis and their caregivers.
Results of this research are being presented in the 18th International Myeloma Workshop (IMW 2021) taking place in Vienna, Austria, between 8 and 11 September.
Findings from our qualitative work suggest that COVID-19 had an impact on patients with myeloma and AL Amyloidosis and their treatments. Some aspects of this may be positive such as switching patients to at home treatment regimens, which may have both avoided treatment delays and also been in line with patient preferences for treatment administration. Other impacts, including barriers to hospital access, changes and delays in treatment, psychological burdens, and limitations of telemedicine were negative.
Find the complete poster below: