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April 28, 2026Open Access

A Survey Study of Patient‐Physician Communication and Treatment Decision‐Making Preference at Treatment Initiation and After Disease Stabilization in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Key Points

This research aims to explore patient-physician communication and treatment decision-making preferences in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
Observational survey conducted from September to November 2024 in Japan.
220 patients with NDMM and 120 treating hematologists participated.
Self-reported surveys assessed communication status and treatment preferences at treatment initiation and disease stabilization.
At treatment initiation, 45.9% of patients had options explained; this increased to 50.3% at disease stabilization.
Only 21.8% of patients experienced a shared decision-making role at treatment initiation, despite 44.5% preferring it.
Patients’ emotions shifted from negative to positive, with increased knowledge and changed expectations by disease stabilization.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction We present real‐world evidence of patient‐physician communication for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who have not received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods An observational survey study was conducted in Japan (September‒November 2024). Patients with NDMM completed a self‐reported 34‐item survey (online or paper‐based), and hematologists treating patients with multiple myeloma completed a self‐reported 18‐item survey online. Communication status between patients and physicians and information on patients' treatment expectations, values, emotions, knowledge, and treatment decision‐making preferences at both treatment initiation and disease stabilization were summarized. Results Overall, 220 patients and 120 physicians were included. At both treatment initiation and disease stabilization, 45.9% and 50.3% of patients, respectively, had treatment options presented or explained to them, and 23.6% and 25.2%, respectively, were asked about their preferences; conversely, 82.5% and 65.0% of physicians, respectively, presented or explained treatment options to patients, and 67.5% and 50.8%, respectively, asked patients about their preferences. Patients' emotions shifted from negative to positive, their knowledge of the disease and treatment increased, and their treatment expectations changed from treatment initiation to disease stabilization. Overall, 44.5% of patients preferred a shared role in decision‐making; however, only 21.8% had a shared role in actual practice at treatment initiation. Conclusion There was a discrepancy in perceptions of communication between patients and physicians. Patients' expectations, emotions, and knowledge changed from treatment initiation to disease stabilization. Physicians should understand these changes and communicate more effectively about treatment options and plans at both treatment initiation and disease stabilization. Trial Registration : University Hospital Medical Information Network Center: UMIN000055606

A Survey Study of Patient‐Physician Communication and Treatment Decision‐Making Preference at Treatment Initiation and After Disease Stabilization in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

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