The ATOMM Study Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adherence to oral therapies in patients with Multiple Myeloma
IRAS ID
258091
Contact name
Nick Duncan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Adherence, in the setting of medicines, is defined as the process by which patients take their medicines as prescribed. It is estimated that rates of non-adherence to medicines that have been prescribed for long-term conditions may be as high as 50%. This clearly has potential negative implications both in terms of clinical outcomes and wastage of medicines.
Currently, there is little published information on adherence to oral therapies for multiple myeloma (a cancer that arises in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell). However, given both the relatively complex treatment schedules and the patient population (mainly older patients, many of whom are likely to have co-morbidities requiring other medicines) it is quite possible that adherence may be sub-optimal in these patients. Consequently, an intervention to improve adherence may offer benefits. We propose to investigate adherence in myeloma patients and to develop a set of interventions to help support patient adherence.
We will recruit myeloma patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, currently being treated with an oral anticancer regimen. We will use a set of validated questionnaires to assess the extent of adherence and to explore behaviour, values and views associated with adherence to therapy. We will also run focus groups for patients and healthcare professionals to further explore patient and staff perspectives on adherence to oral therapies for myeloma. Based on the findings from this first part of the study we will then develop an adherence tool. It would be expected that the tool would involve a combination of inputs such as educational interventions, patient diaries, and a telephone or text reminder service. During the development of the tool, further focus group discussions will take place with patients and healthcare professionals.
We expect the study to take place over a period of 9-12 months.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0340
Date of REC Opinion
29 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion