Clinical Scorecard: The Impact of Financial Toxicity on Logistical and Relational Challenges Throughout the Lifespan in Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Preparation

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Financial toxicity significantly impacts treatment readiness and decision-making.
• Patients often experience indirect expressions of financial strain, such as work disruption and caregiver burden.
• Nearly half of patients undergoing ASCT report meaningful financial hardship.
• Financial toxicity is linked to worse health-related quality of life and mental health outcomes.
• Qualitative insights reveal financial concerns are often minimized or deferred in clinical settings.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Assess financial toxicity as part of the overall patient evaluation.

Management

• Implement proactive financial navigation strategies during ASCT preparation.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regularly evaluate the financial burden experienced by patients and caregivers.

Risks

• Consider the psychosocial impacts of financial toxicity on treatment adherence and quality of life.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients with multiple myeloma preparing for ASCT, including older adults.

Financial considerations are intertwined with treatment decisions and caregiver availability.

Clinical Best Practices

• Incorporate discussions of financial toxicity into patient education and care planning.
• Support caregivers to mitigate the financial and emotional burdens associated with ASCT preparation.
• Utilize qualitative data to understand the lived experiences of patients regarding financial toxicity.

References

• Financial Toxicity Literature