Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners
Abstract Introduction While multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare diagnosis within primary care, its precursor MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) is more common, particularly among older populations. Upon first detection, the majority of MGUS patients will be under the care of their...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12875-019-0944-5 |
| _version_ | 1811228298546511872 |
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| author | Charlene M. McShane Blain Murphy Olinda Santin Lesley A. Anderson |
| author_facet | Charlene M. McShane Blain Murphy Olinda Santin Lesley A. Anderson |
| author_sort | Charlene M. McShane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction While multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare diagnosis within primary care, its precursor MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) is more common, particularly among older populations. Upon first detection, the majority of MGUS patients will be under the care of their General Practitioner (GP)/Family Doctor who is also often the first healthcare professional that patients report symptoms of progression to. However, our previous work with MGUS patients and haematology healthcare professionals has suggested that knowledge and awareness of MGUS is low among GPs. Methods An online survey was undertaken to investigate knowledge and awareness of MGUS and services needed by GPs/GP trainees to support these patients. The survey was promoted at a large European primary care conference and via social media. Descriptive statistics were utilised to compare participant responses. Results In total 58 GPs (n = 35 GPs and n = 23 GP trainees) from 24 countries responded. Overall, self-reported familiarity with the term MGUS was low (mean score: 2.21/5, standard deviation (SD): 1.09), but higher among GPs who reported having at least one MGUS patient (mean score: 2.83/5, SD 0.99). The majority (88.2%) of GPs/GP trainees stated they would feel uncomfortable discussing MGUS with patients. The increased risk of haematological malignancies was identified by 62.1% of GPs/GP trainees with MM, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes the most commonly reported cancers associated with MGUS. The majority (81.6%) of GPs/GP trainees were supportive of patient follow-up via telephone clinics (phlebotomy performed in GP practice with patient management maintained by haematology) but only 27.1% stated they would be happy to solely manage all low/low-intermediate risk MGUS patients. A laboratory report alerting to the possibility of MGUS or a haematological malignancy was reported as the most useful service which could be implemented to help GPs manage MGUS patients. The need for MGUS focused information and education resources for GPs was also highlighted. Conclusions The findings of this study highlight a lack of knowledge and awareness of MGUS among GPs/ GP trainees. The majority of GPs/GP trainees are happy to support haematology in managing these patients but require assistance and support in providing these services. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:55:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a42f2505b1ca444bab797f6fcb76bf0c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2296 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:55:43Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-a42f2505b1ca444bab797f6fcb76bf0c2022-12-22T03:37:43ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962019-05-012011810.1186/s12875-019-0944-5Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitionersCharlene M. McShane0Blain Murphy1Olinda Santin2Lesley A. Anderson3Cancer Epidemiology Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University BelfastCancer Epidemiology Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University BelfastSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University BelfastCancer Epidemiology Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University BelfastAbstract Introduction While multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare diagnosis within primary care, its precursor MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) is more common, particularly among older populations. Upon first detection, the majority of MGUS patients will be under the care of their General Practitioner (GP)/Family Doctor who is also often the first healthcare professional that patients report symptoms of progression to. However, our previous work with MGUS patients and haematology healthcare professionals has suggested that knowledge and awareness of MGUS is low among GPs. Methods An online survey was undertaken to investigate knowledge and awareness of MGUS and services needed by GPs/GP trainees to support these patients. The survey was promoted at a large European primary care conference and via social media. Descriptive statistics were utilised to compare participant responses. Results In total 58 GPs (n = 35 GPs and n = 23 GP trainees) from 24 countries responded. Overall, self-reported familiarity with the term MGUS was low (mean score: 2.21/5, standard deviation (SD): 1.09), but higher among GPs who reported having at least one MGUS patient (mean score: 2.83/5, SD 0.99). The majority (88.2%) of GPs/GP trainees stated they would feel uncomfortable discussing MGUS with patients. The increased risk of haematological malignancies was identified by 62.1% of GPs/GP trainees with MM, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes the most commonly reported cancers associated with MGUS. The majority (81.6%) of GPs/GP trainees were supportive of patient follow-up via telephone clinics (phlebotomy performed in GP practice with patient management maintained by haematology) but only 27.1% stated they would be happy to solely manage all low/low-intermediate risk MGUS patients. A laboratory report alerting to the possibility of MGUS or a haematological malignancy was reported as the most useful service which could be implemented to help GPs manage MGUS patients. The need for MGUS focused information and education resources for GPs was also highlighted. Conclusions The findings of this study highlight a lack of knowledge and awareness of MGUS among GPs/ GP trainees. The majority of GPs/GP trainees are happy to support haematology in managing these patients but require assistance and support in providing these services.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12875-019-0944-5MGUSHealthcare professionalsHaematologyMyelomaCommunication aidsFamily doctors/primary care |
| spellingShingle | Charlene M. McShane Blain Murphy Olinda Santin Lesley A. Anderson Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners BMC Family Practice MGUS Healthcare professionals Haematology Myeloma Communication aids Family doctors/primary care |
| title | Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners |
| title_full | Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners |
| title_fullStr | Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners |
| title_short | Low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among general practitioners |
| title_sort | low knowledge and awareness of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance mgus among general practitioners |
| topic | MGUS Healthcare professionals Haematology Myeloma Communication aids Family doctors/primary care |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12875-019-0944-5 |
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