Medication adherence to oral chemotherapeutic agents: a qualitative study of patients' and cancer care professionals' perspectives

Abstract Background: Adherence is increasingly understood as a complex concept and is affected by many factors. Among rural patients with cancer, adherence behavior can be affected by increased psychosocial and physical distress as well as economic burden. This study explored facilitators and barriers to medication adherence to oral chemotherapeutic agents (OCAs) from the perspective of both rural patients with cancer and their cancer care providers. Methods: This study was conducted in a regional Cancer Center in North Carolina. Data for the cancer care providers (N = 10) were collected (January-February 2016), and data for the patients with cancer (N = 25) were collected (March-June 2016). Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients with cancer currently taking OCAs, and interviews/focus groups were conducted with cancer care providers. Data analysis was conducted using the immersion crystallization approach. Results: The results of this qualitative study provide valuable insights into the attitudes of both cancer care providers and patients with cancer and their perceptions of adherence barriers and facilitators. The main barriers to adherence were costs associated with treatment, side effect management, comorbidities and concomitant treatments, limited health literacy, lack of social support, and patient-provider communication. Facilitators to adherence include education and follow-up, social support networks, and adherence strategies. Conclusion: Better communication, education/information, and social support were identified as facilitators of adherence in this study. It is critical to develop tailored strategies such as self-management behaviors, adherence strategies, and effective communication that can improve medication adherence and empower patients and their caregivers in their treatment management.