Editing Patient Pathways: Myeloma (section)

== Support activities provided by institutions health care ==

'''Supportive care for physical challenges'''

Supportive care for myeloma patients within the healthcare system includes a wide range of services aimed at improving the overall quality of life of patients. In addition to medical care, which includes regular monitoring through blood tests, ultrasound, MRI or CT scans, and monitoring by specialist doctors, for optimal management of physical difficulties, patients should have access to a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

'''General practitioner:''' takes care of daily health needs during and after treatment

'''Oncologist:''' overall treatment management

'''Dietitian:''' nutrition counseling and weight management.

'''Physiotherapist:''' pain management and improved mobility.

'''Psychologist:''' helps with emotional issues

'''Oncology nurses:''' care for you before, during, and after treatment, provide information about your daily treatment plan, and teach you how to use aids.

'''Supportive care for psychological challenges'''

Cancer patients and their families almost inevitably face numerous psychological difficulties throughout the entire therapeutic journey. Professional psychological help in the form of individual counseling, group therapy, counseling with a partner and family counseling is a key part of support for oncology patients. Also, a psychiatrist can recommend psychopharmacotherapy as a support for patients.

'''Supportive care for providing reliable and understandable information'''

'''Informed Consent:''' A signed form is proof that a conversation in which the doctor provides the patient with information about diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, risks, complications, and alternative treatments has led to mutual understanding. Detailed but easy-to-understand educational content for patients is essential in this process, but often not available.

'''Right to a second medical opinion:''' guaranteed by the Patient Rights Protection Act. The patient always has the right to seek a second medical opinion on their state of health. Every healthcare professional with a high level of professional qualifications and appropriate specialization who was not involved in the direct provision of a certain type of healthcare service to the patient is obliged to give a second medical opinion to the patient at the patient’s verbal or written request. Apart from the patient, the doctor is the one who can initiate the procedure of seeking a second opinion. In the case of diagnosis of a rare disease, inability to find (adequate) therapy, inadequate technological equipment of the healthcare institution that prevents or makes it difficult to establish a diagnosis or the course of therapy, doctors often seek help and confirmation from their colleagues from other institutions for the purpose of the highest quality approach to each patient.

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