A Concept Analysis of Oral Anticancer Agent Self-management

Abstract

Background: The rapid development and adoption of oral anticancer agents (OAAs) for cancer management have shifted patients' roles from recipient to owner of their care delivery, assuming their responsibilities for self-managing their OAA treatments at home, while the concept of oral anticancer agent self-management (OAA-SM) has not been well clarified and defined. Objective: This study was to clarify the concept of OAA-SM and identify major components, influential factors, and consequences of OAA-SM, as well as propose a representative conceptual model of OAA-SM. Methods: A literature review was conducted concerning the concept and application of OAA-SM. The Walker and Avant method for concept analysis was utilized to guide the examination of OAA-SM.Results: OAA-SM is a multifaceted and dynamic process that requires continuous adaptation by patients as multiple self-management challenges can emerge throughout OAA treatments. The defining attributes of OAA-SM include OAA adherence, adverse-effect self-management, patient-provider communication, and OAA safe storage, handling, and administration practices. Oral anticancer agent-SM is potentially influenced by a variety of patient-related, OAA-related, and healthcare system factors.Effective OAA-SM is associated with better patient and healthcare outcomes. Conclusions: The clarification of the concept of OAA-SM and the identification of attributes of OAA-SM and their interrelationships contribute to the body of knowledge in OAA-SM. Implications for Practice: This concept analysis provides the foundation to increase healthcare providers' understanding of patients' needs for OAA-SM support and guides the development of patient-centered interventions to empower and engage patients and their families in effective OAA-SM, and improve patients' quality of life and care.

The Relationship between Medication Beliefs, Patient Activation, and Self-Rated Health in Patients Taking Oral Anticancer Agents

“…For oncology patients taking OAAs, patient activation is considered one of the key factors in uencing patient-reported outcomes, including successful medication self-management and higher con dence in managing drug-related symptoms [2,37]. In our study, the mean patient activation score of participants (62.9) was similar to a prior study (65.0) of patients taking OAAs [2].…”

Tolerance to oral anticancer agent treatment in older adults with cancer: a secondary analysis of data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes

“…The current literature implies that the severity of side effects of OAAs may positively correlate with the number of outpatient medications and the number of comorbidities [ 9 ]. Concurrent medications may contribute to patients’ experiences of severe side effects of OAAs due to drug interactions or combined drug effects.…”

“…Patients under OAA treatments have extensive responsibilities and involvement in the self-management of their OAAs and related side effects with limited supervision from their healthcare providers [ 9 ]. As many severe side effects are difficult to self-manage by patients and their families at home, a greater understanding of the potential factors associated with the development of OAA toxicities in older adults can lead to more personalized OAA treatment plans and better support for side effect monitoring and management.…”

Tolerance to oral anticancer agent treatment in older adults with cancer: A secondary analysis of data from EHRs and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes

“…Patients under OAA treatments have extensive responsibilities and involvement in the self-management of their OAAs and related side effects with limited supervision from their healthcare providers [9]. As many severe side effects are di cult to self-manage by patients and their families at home, a greater understanding of the potential factors associated with the development of OAA toxicities in older adults can lead to more personalized OAA treatment plans and better support for their side effect monitoring and management.…”