The Development of a Diagnostic Tool to Help Primary Care Clinicians Manage Patients with Suspected Myeloma

Introduction

Myeloma patients experience some of the longest delays to diagnosis of all cancer patients. A third of myeloma patients are diagnosed via emergency routes, with an associated worse survival compared to non-emergency pathways. Primary care clinicians play a critical role in the diagnostic process and a tool was created to help support them in making early referral to haematology to reduce diagnostic delays. The diagnostic tool aims to: increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of myeloma; assist in the interpretation of test results; and help primary care clinicians recognise when to make an urgent referral to haematology.

Content of Presentation

An overview of how the tool was developed, the guidance it provides, evaluation strategies and potential impact.

Relevance/Impact

The tool sets out to improve primary care clinicians' understanding of myeloma to reduce avoidable delays in diagnosis and prevent complications of advanced disease. Earlier diagnosis of myeloma has an impact on patient outcomes in terms of survival and quality of life.

Outcomes

The tool provides guidance on primary care investigation, test requesting and interpretation in myeloma. Evaluation of the tool to date indicates that it substantially increases clinicians' confidence in both recognising red flag symptoms and in the interpretation of initial myeloma investigations (93% and 87% respectively).

Discussion

The tool is part of a wider initiative by Myeloma UK to address the barriers to myeloma diagnosis and reduce the delays that many patients experience. Working in partnership with an expert group of haematologists and primary care clinicians, further educational resources are in development.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.