Table 2 List of Treatment Attributes
From: Treatment preferences of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma: a qualitative study
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Higher priority | |
Life expectancy | The amount that a treatment prolongs life (or not) |
Physical side effects | Does not increase common side effects such as fatigue, digestive problems, nausea or neutropenia |
Cognitive side effects (‘Chemo brain’) | Does not contribute to memory or concentration problems |
Financial impact | How the costs of treatment are covered (e.g. by government, insurance etc.) |
Mixed priority | |
Limited steroid use | Drug treatment does not require dexamethasone (‘dex’) or very low doses of dex are administered |
Relation to other treatments | Does not preclude other treatments or make other treatments ineffective |
Lower priority | |
Mode of administration | How treatment is given, for example orally (taken at home), or IV treatment at the hospital |
Treatment intervals | Allows for “down-time” or “off-treatment” breaks during treatment periods |
Psychological/emotional side effects | Treatment side effects are predictable so that you are able to make plans. |
Sleep and mood side effects | Does not increase sleep disturbances and mood swings |
Lowest priority | |
aAccessibility | The treatment and the healthcare provider are accessibly located |
aDistribution | Smooth and consistent access to medications (financial and logistic) |