04/07/2026
Every day, myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients make small decisions about their health: noticing new symptoms, taking medicines, managing fatigue, or deciding when to call their care team. These everyday actions are what the researchers call self‑care.
Recently, a team of researchers in Italy took a closer look at what motivates self‑care behaviors in people living with MPNs. Biagioli et al.’s goal was to understand why some individuals feel more prepared and confident to manage day‑to‑day challenges, and how care teams can better support this process (2026).
One of the most important insights from the study is this: feeling engaged in your care is not enough on its own. What truly drives better self‑care is feeling capable and confident in your ability to handle your illness.
Researchers call this confidence self‑efficacy — but in everyday terms, it simply means:
“I believe I can manage this. I know what to do, and I can do it.”
The Italian study found that when patients feel actively involved in their health decisions and receive clear, practical guidance from their care teams, they are much more likely to develop this sense of capability. And once patients feel capable, they are far more likely to follow through with the self-care that supports long‑term health. In fact, confidence was shown to be the key link between being engaged and actually performing strong self‑care behaviors.
“The findings highlighted in this article reinforce how essential education and engagement are for patients with MPNs,” said Sara Douglas, MSN, RN, OCN, Director of Patient Engagement at the MPN Research Foundation. This research echoes what many in the MPN community already know: “Nurses see firsthand that when patients are empowered with the right information, they are better equipped to care for themselves.”
Read more about it here: https://f.mtr.cool/pshmxfeglq
