Why you should read this article:

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To explore how people living with multiple myeloma can be supported to self-manage their condition

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To reflect on the need for patient-focused digital tools in oncology and how to design them

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To learn about the System Usability Scale, which measures the usability of tools such as healthcare apps

Supporting patients to self-manage chronic conditions can reduce the risk of adverse events and improve quality of life. Digital tools such as smartphone apps are increasingly used in oncology to support patient self-management. Multiple myeloma (MM) is often treated as a chronic rather than a terminal condition, and people living with MM need to be empowered to self-manage their condition.

This article describes the development of a digital tool designed to support people with relapsed or refractory MM to monitor and manage side effects and symptoms, and reports the findings of a small pilot evaluation conducted to assess the tool’s usefulness and usability for patients. Findings suggest that the tool could potentially assist people living with MM in monitoring side effects and symptoms, but further research in a larger sample is needed to determine whether the tool is useful and usable.