# Using nominal group technique to inform the development of a self-management app for patients with relapsed myeloma

## TL;DR

This paper shows how the nominal group technique helped identify key symptoms for a self-management app for relapsed myeloma patients.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the use of NGT to prioritize patient symptoms for app development in relapsed myeloma care.

## Key findings

- NGT efficiently gathered healthcare professionals' input on key symptoms for app development.
- Top symptoms prioritized were Pain, Fatigue, Peripheral Neuropathy, Infection Risk, and Steroid Induced Side Effects.
- Eighteen healthcare professionals with varied experience participated in the NGT session.

## Abstract

Background: The nominal group technique (NGT) allows stakeholders to directly generate items for needs assessment. The objective was to demonstrate the use of NGT to inform the development of a healthcare app in patients with relapsed myeloma. Healthcare professionals with experience in the care of patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma were invited to participate.

Methods: One NGT group was conducted. In the group, health care professionals working in haematology were asked to vote anonymously in order of highest priority, on symptoms previously highlighted by relapsed/refractory myeloma patients in four focus groups.

Results: A total of 18 healthcare professionals working in the area of haematology participated in the NGT discussion; consultants (n=6), haematology registrars (n=2), specialist nurses [Advanced Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist] (haematology) (n=3), staff nurse (n=1), and “other” health care professionals (n=6). Participants ranged in experience of working with myeloma patients from 2 years to over 27 years. The symptoms voted in highest priority were: Pain, Fatigue, Peripheral Neuropathy, Infection Risk and Steroid Induced Side Effects.

Conclusions: The NGT was an efficient method for obtaining information to inform a healthcare app.