title: Factors influencing the process of medication (non-)adherence and (non-)persistence in breast cancer patients with adjuvant antihormonal therapy: a qualitative study.
abstract: Non-adherence and non-persistence in breast cancer patients taking antihormonal therapy (AHT) is common. However, the complex patterns and dynamics of adherence and persistence are still not fully understood. This study aims to give insight into the process of (non-)adherence and (non-)persistence by researching influencing factors and their interrelatedness in breast cancer patients taking AHT by means of a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of 31 breast cancer patients treated with AHT. Purposive and theoretical sampling and the constant comparison method based on a grounded theory approach were used. Expectations regarding the impact of AHT, social support from family and friends, and recognition from healthcare professionals were found to influence the process of non-adherence and non-persistence. The results of this study can help healthcare professionals understand why breast cancer patients taking AHT do not always adhere to or persist in taking the therapy and may facilitate patient-tailored interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verbrugghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verhaeghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Decoene
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.|Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Baere
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.|Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vandendorpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.|Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen
keywords: adherence; antihormonal therapy; influencing factors; persistence; process; qualitative study