title: [Qualitative Research to Investigate the Needs of Pharmacists and Drug Therapy of Cancer Patients].
abstract: We performed a survey of cancer patients' needs for drug treatment and support from pharmacists during treatment and evaluated the support that cancer patients can expect from community pharmacists in the future. The patients consisted of 16 members of the Cancer Patient Association in Aichi prefecture who underwent chemotherapy. The results of a semistructured group interview were qualitatively analyzed using the grounded theory method. Patients undergoing chemotherapy had high hopes for its effectiveness but were worried about side effects and medical costs. To overcome these problems, they hoped for a decrease in the economic burden, compassionate-use system, and development of novel drugs. The patients had anxiety because the side effects of chemotherapy often caused physical and psychological damage. Despite patients' confusion, pharmacists sometimes did not give adequate explanations to them. The patients expected more from pharmacists regarding medication support and hoped for a system allowing continuous side effect monitoring and consultation without hesitation. For patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy who are confused regarding side effects, pharmacists should understand the patient explanatory model and become more involved with patients as partners in treatment.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Manako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanya
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatematsu
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujisaki
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires