Evolving strategies for the management of multiple myeloma: a managed care perspective

Current challenges in the management of multiple myeloma (MM) include the changing treatment landscape and the need for better care coordination and improved communication. A roundtable meeting involving key stakeholders (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, managed care professionals, pharmaceutical industry professionals, and patient care advocates) was held to discuss challenges in the management of MM and evolving strategies to address these challenges and improve quality of care for patients with MM. Interventions discussed included the use of a treatment pathway to standardize treatment, decrease costs, and possibly increase efficacy by encouraging adherence to treatment guidelines whenever possible, and the use of an oncology medical home (OMH) to facilitate communication among treatment providers. Challenges to the successful implementation of treatment pathways include the rapid introduction of new therapies and the need to balance efficacy and value. It was stressed that treatment pathways must not prioritize profits over the health and welfare of the patient. Considerations related to the implementation of the OMH include the identification of appropriate measures to evaluate quality, value, and outcomes, and the provider implementation costs related to the OMH model.