Accessible learning
Addressing the needs of myeloma patients
Published: 22 Aug 2011
The myeloma training programme filled an educational gap.
Client: Celgene and Myeloma UK
Agency: N/A
Campaign: Myeloma Nurse Learning Programme
Timescale: March 2010 to present
A quick look
With the management of myeloma having been transformed in the last decade and nurses recognised as playing a crucial role in the day to day care of patients, the internationally recognised online Myeloma Nurse Learning Programme © (MNLP) was developed to address the needs of this group. The programme, which includes interactive tutorials and a best practice-sharing forum, was borne out of a partnership between Myeloma UK and Celgene. It enrolled over 350 nurses worldwide in the first nine months alone, with 95% of nurses who provided feedback highlighting its usefulness.
Challenge
A debilitating and incurable cancer, myeloma is associated with a myriad of complications and accounts for 1 per cent of all cancer cases each year. Nurses play a key role in the care of patients by offering them support to make informed treatment decisions and manage complications. However, with limited specialist educational resources and difficulties taking time away from clinical duties, the challenge was to provide nurses with a learning programme that worked for them.
Solution
Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with myeloma and its related disorders. In partnership with Celgene, which has a strong heritage in this arena, it identified an opportunity to develop an internationally accessible, one-of-a-kind learning resource, to meet the educational needs of this group. An editorial team, consisting of a specialist medical writer, Myeloma UK staff and representatives from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Nurses Group, was established and tasked with seeing the brief through to fruition. Designed to be accessible to nurses at all levels, the online training modules included:
- An online format that allows nurses to fit the programme around their lifestyle
- The ability to learn in an interactive, tutor-led environment
- A forum for participants to share their experiences with other nurses
- Access to up-to-date information and best practices in myeloma as it evolves.
The programme launched in March 2010 and was promoted through a variety of channels, including congresses such as the British Society of Haematology (BSH) annual meeting and trade press.
Results
Key outputs achieved:
- Since its launch in March 2010, 625 nurses are now registered on the programme
- 29% of nurses registered are from outside the UK including Australia, USA and Russia
- The programme has been accredited by Royal College of Nursing Australia (RCNA) and European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS)
- 95% of nurses providing feedback on the Myeloma Nurse Learning Programme (MNLP) agreed that the programme was useful and felt they were better placed to provide practical and relevant information about myeloma.
Client verdict
The programme was highly commended by representatives from Myeloma UK and Celgene alike, for the positive impact it has had on the level of patient care.
"The popularity of the Myeloma Nurse Learning Programme within the last year has been overwhelming. The Programme is an excellent resource and will ultimately ensure that patients receive the best standard of treatment and care."
Eric Low, Chief Executive, Myeloma UK
"It is clear that the Myeloma Nurse Learning Programme has been a much welcomed resource by nurses. We hope it will ultimately improve the care of patients here in the UK and further afield."
General Manager, Celgene
Week-in-review alert
No results were found
No results were found