Improvement in adherence to Capecitabine and Lapatinib by way of a therapeutic education program

The Effect of Education and Monitoring via Tele-Nursing to Elderly Cancer Patients Using Oral Anticancer Agents on Self-efficacy and Medication Adherence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of the education and monitoring provided via tele-nursing to elderly cancer patients using oral anticancer agents on their medication treatment adherence self-efficacy and medication adherence.

METHODS

The sample of the study consisted of 60 elderly cancer patients who presented to the oncology outpatient clinics of a medical faculty hospital in Turkey. An Elderly Information Form, the Oral Chemotherapy Adherence Scale, the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale, a Tele-nursing Evaluation Form, and a Telephone Monitoring Form were used to collect data. Patients in the intervention group were sent text messages and educational videos via WhatsApp® for the first four weeks, and after the fifth week, they were monitored by phone for eight weeks. Data collection tools were applied to the control and intervention groups at weeks 1, 8, and 12. Independent samples t-test, Repeated measurements analysis of variance chi-square test, and Pearson correlation test were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

In the study, while there was no significant difference between the mean scores of the intervention and control groups on the pretest application of the Oral Chemotherapy Adherence Scale and the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (p > .05), a significant difference was found between the mean posttest scores of the groups (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, it was determined that the education and monitoring provided to elderly cancer patients via tele-nursing positively affected their self-efficacy and medication adherence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

In line with the research results, it is recommended that nurses use tele-nursing applications in the care of elderly cancer patients using oral anticancer agents.

Predictors of self-care in patients with cancer treated with oral anticancer agents: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

In the last two decades, the use of oral anticancer agents (OAAs) has increased in cancer patients. Despite this, patients and their caregivers face some challenging issues (side effects, drug-to-drug interactions, etc.) related to OAA administration. The three dimensions of self-care by Riegel et al., self-care maintenance (i.e., stability of patient condition), self-care monitoring (i.e., detection of side effects), and self-care management (i.e., management of side effects), may be implemented to avoid negative outcomes. However, knowledge of self-care determinants is necessary to recognise people at risk of poor self-care behaviours.

AIMS

Determine which are the predictors of self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring and self-care management in patients with cancer taking OAA.

METHODS

A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted. We included studies on adult patients with cancer using any kind of oral anticancer agent and describing a predictor of self-care. The search was performed on PubMed, CINAHL/PsycINFO, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

Of 3,061 records, 45 studies were included in this review. Forty-six predictors organised into 14 categories were identified. In general, all studies focused only on adherence, considered as a self-care maintenance component, and none of them focused on other dimensions of self-care. The predictors of OAA adherence most reported were age, side effects, and socioeconomic factors (e.g., insurance status, and annual income).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review highlighted the literature gap on the analysis of determinants of self-care behaviours in patients taking OAAs. This element could be a starting point for future research that can provide elements to support the oncology nursing research agenda, aimed at recognising patients at risk of poor self-care.

Barriers and Facilitators of Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications Among Women with Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Purpose

Despite the life-saving benefits of oral anticancer medications (OAMs) to women with breast cancer (BC), adherence remains suboptimal and, in many cases, not well documented. The study examined barriers and facilitators of adherence to OAMs among women receiving BC treatment in Nigeria.

Patients and Methods

The study was framed within the World Health Organization (WHO) Multidimensional Model of Adherence. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews of 16 purposively sampled women in two tertiary hospitals in Southern Nigeria. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interview data were analyzed using the Framework Method.

Results

The key barriers to OAM adherence mentioned were socioeconomic factors (high cost of medication) and therapy-related factors (medication side effects). The key facilitating mechanisms for adherence to OAMs mentioned included; (i) patient-related psychosocial factors such as self-encouragement and self-discipline in sticking to the prescription, taking the medication at a particular time each day, receiving practical support from family members; and (ii) healthcare team/system factors such as obtaining an adequate supply of the medication at the pharmacy.

Conclusion

Barriers and facilitators to OAM adherence are multidimensional. The study findings highlight the potential benefit of a multifaceted intervention (such as patient education and monitoring or strategies promoting cost-containment and side effects management) to optimize adherence. Therefore, our findings may inform the designing and evaluating of context-specific adherence measures and multifaceted intervention strategies targeting key barriers and approaches that enable adherence to enhance patient outcomes.

Interpersonal communication-, education- and counselling-based interventions to support adherence to oral anticancer therapy: a systematic review

Background. Many factors contribute to oral anti-cancer therapy adherence, including counselling and educational support. Objective. We systematically review the literature evaluating the effectiveness of interpersonal communication-, counselling- and education-based interventions on patient adherence to oral anticancer therapy. Methods. Using search terms pertaining to medication adherence, oral anticancer therapy, and communication, education, and counselling, we conducted a systematic search for full-text, original research articles prior to 3/13/20. Two reviewers independently reviewed each paper for inclusion and charted study information. Results. Twenty-four articles were included. All considered the use of oral anticancer therapy between two defined time points. Four studies also considered the length of time a patient persisted on therapy. Half (n = 12) of the studies reported a statistically significant relationship between the intervention and medication adherence, with no consistent pattern among intervention structure/content and effectiveness. Programmes offering in-person counselling and those targeting patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), tended to report positive findings. Most studies faced substantial risk of bias, and only two reported using a behavioural theory to guide interventional content. Conclusions. Findings highlight the infancy of evidence base and need for rigorous and large-scale studies grounded in established behavioural theories to advance patient-targeted educational and counselling practices supporting adherence to oral anti-cancer therapy.

Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications Among Women With Breast Cancer in Africa: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

Oral anticancer medications (OAMs) improve treatment outcomes and survival in women with breast cancer (BC). However, adherence to OAM therapy remains suboptimal. This scoping review provides evidence of adherence to OAMs among African women with BC.

METHODS

We searched four databases and gray literature, using guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Thirteen studies on adherence rates, determinants, and interventions were included. NVivo 12 software was used to perform thematic analysis of the included studies. The determinants (barriers and facilitators) associated with adherence were analyzed according to the five dimensions of the WHO multidimensional adherence model.

RESULTS

Most studies (n = 11, 85%) focused on endocrine medication. Depending on the definition, measurements, and assessment period, the nonadherence rates ranged from 4.3% to 65.4% for endocrine medications, 80.9% for cytotoxic chemotherapies, and 32.7% for combined medications. The significant barriers associated with adherence include Islamic religion, concurrent comorbidities, mastectomy, anastrozole treatment, side effects, unawareness of treatment insurance coverage, and seeking treatment from traditional healers. Thorough therapeutic communication regarding treatment, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adequate social support significantly facilitate adherence. A randomized controlled trial of breast nursing interventions reported improved patient adherence.

CONCLUSION

The evidence mapped from studies that evaluated OAM adherence in women with BC indicates that nonadherence to OAMs is common. Applying context-specific standardized measures to assess adherence and facilitators or strategies targeting the identified barriers can optimize adherence and treatment outcomes. Effective interventions to improve adherence are limited. Therefore, further empirical and interventional studies in Africa are required to enhance the evidence.