Patient Empowerment in the Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Patient empowerment is a patient-centered approach to care in which healthcare providers nurture patients' innate abilities to self-manage and incorporate patient goals for therapy into the overall management plan. Standard care of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) requires lifelong medication with oral therapy and regular follow-up. The success of CML treatment, therefore, depends on a high degree of patient involvement and motivation, as well as strong collaboration between patients and healthcare providers. Oncology nurses can support patients with CML from the time of diagnosis to the end of treatment to ensure they maintain high levels of involvement in their care. At the author's center, patients who most actively collaborate with their physicians in treatment decisions take personal responsibility for the quality of their care and show good adherence to treatment. In the current article, the author discusses the potential effect of patient response to cancer diagnosis on clinical outlook and describes strategies in place at the cancer center to ensure that patients diagnosed with CML have the best chance at keeping their cancer under control.

How should we “empower” cancer patients?

“…More and more, cancer patients are included in the chronic disease category, and almost all support and management occurs outside the clinic and hospital settings. Studies have investigated specific diseases, such as chronic myeloid leukemia and other cancers, using oncology nurses to assess patient self‐management of symptoms . Others have assessed the impact of patient navigation on compliance with treatment such as radiation therapy .…”

“…Studies have investigated specific diseases, such as chronic myeloid leukemia and other cancers, using oncology nurses to assess patient self-management of symptoms. 14,15 Others have assessed the impact of patient navigation on compliance with treatment such as radiation therapy. 1 Cancer survivorship plans have now being analyzed to help patients and families navigate post-treatment long-term needs.…”