Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Deborah Behan
Second Advisor
Dr. Barbara Schneider
Third Advisor
Dr. Regina Urban
Abstract
Background: Despite the ease of receiving OCT, patients’ OCT adherence is low. With this low prevalence rate, patients are not likely obtaining the full life-promoting effects of OCT. Since medication adherence is often related to lived experiences and standardized medication adherence instruments may not capture these experiences completely, the purpose of this study was to explore how the lived experiences of older adults with cancer influence their adherence to OCT.
Methods: the researcher used a descriptive phenomenological design and conducted individual interviews with 20 older adults with cancer. All participants were prescribed OCT and reported missing at least one dose. Data analysis was performed separately by the researcher and the research advisor according to Colaizzi’s 7-step data analysis methodology.
Findings: There were seven emergent themes: positive emotional motivators, fear, relationship with the oncology team, treatment barriers, medication availability, forgetfulness, perseverance and family support. These themes fit with the Health Belief Model.
Conclusions – The study participants expressed gratitude for OCT, they also indicated that they are confronted with barriers that reduce OCT adherence. More practice-related actions and research are needed to address effective strategies to improve OCT adherence in older adults with cancer.
Keywords
Older adults, Oral chemotherapy, Lived experiences, Medication adherence, Cancer treatment, Oral cancer treatment, Cancer treatment non-adherence
Disciplines
Geriatric Nursing
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Kosmari, Ludmila, "THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF OLDER ADULTS WITH CANCER WHO ARE NON-ADHERENT TO PRESCRIBED ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY: A DESCRIPTIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY" (2025). Nursing Dissertations. 133.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/nursing_dissertations/133