Why Relationships are Key When Caring For Patients With MPNs

For patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), building lasting relationships with the care team can bring strength, comfort and clarity during a challenging journey, according to Dr. Kathryn Johnson, a clinical program manager at The Derald H. Ruttenberg Treatment Center at The Tisch Cancer Institute, part of The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Known for her deep empathy, Johnson supports not only her patients but also their care teams, ensuring that questions are answered and that treatment plans feel right for everyone involved.

Johnson explains how trust and long-term rapport are central to caring for patients with MPNs. Because these chronic conditions require ongoing treatment, Johnson says, patients and providers have the chance to build deep relationships over time.

She encourages patients to speak up about symptoms and goals, noting that MPNs often manifest differently from person to person. She also emphasizes the importance of bringing a loved one to appointments, both for emotional support and to help patients feel more confident navigating care.

Transcript:

CURE: How do you approach building trust and rapport with your patients with MPN, especially those undergoing treatments, and how can patients lean into their care team and develop that rapport and trust so they feel open to discuss whatever it may be?

Johnson: I think MPNs are chronic disorders, which means that we actually get to establish really lovely long-term relationships with our patients. I have patients that I've seen over the last five years once or twice a month, which is more often than I even get to see my own family in Virginia. So, I think making sure, again, that we're building those long-term relationships with a good foundation of trust by getting to know the patients on a deeper level is really important.

[Patients should] speak up, especially with MPNs, as they do all manifest differently. There are things that we know that people have in common, but they're going to present differently for every person. And I think that there's a lot that people learn to grow with that they don't always realize is impacting them. So, taking a good look at who they are and what their goals are is going to be helpful to managing their care and making sure that they're vocalizing things that aren't sitting right.

[It is also important] that you always encourage [companionship]. Bring a buddy, bring a sister, bring a parent, bring a spouse, bring an adult child. The people who love you and support you and want to help you manage what you're going through.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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