The experiences of living with multiple myeloma and a palliative approach to care: A grounded theory study.

PurposeMultiple myeloma is an incurable hematologic cancer. A palliative approach to care can be used in conjunction with curative therapy to alleviate suffering, but is underutilized in the hemato- oncology population. The purpose of this study was to explore living with multiple myeloma and individuals' experiences with, and perceptions of a palliative approach in their care.MethodsStraussian grounded theory was employed. Ten individuals with multiple myeloma participated between October 2021 and May 2022.ResultsA theoretical model depicting the process of living with multiple myeloma was developed. Seven categories emerged from the data, as well as a core category: 'existing in the liminal space between living with and dying from multiple myeloma'. Results demonstrate that a palliative approach to care was inconsistently utilized.ConclusionsThe model designed from the participant data offers an explanation of the process of living with multiple myeloma and how a palliative approach to care can be utilized to help these individuals.