The sharks are circling: a qualitative study of living with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the intersection of continued treatment and quality of life in women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Methods: This was a qualitative study in which women with MBC were interviewed about their perceptions how MBC affected their physical, emotional, and role functioning.

Results: Participants (n = 16) were mostly Caucasian (86.

Framing Cancer Survivors' Access to and Use and Disposal of Prescribed Opioids Within the Opioid Epidemic.

Purpose: To explore cancer survivors' access to and use and disposal of opioids in the context of the opioid epidemic.

Participants & Setting: Community-based recruitment strategies were employed for individuals aged 18 years or older who were previously diagnosed with cancer, completed cancer treatment within the past five years, or were cancer free, and who were prescribed opioids for cancer-related pain.

Methodologic Approach: This qualitative study used semistructured interviews.

Barriers to Adequate Pain Control and Opioid Use Among Cancer Survivors: Implications for Nursing Practice.

Background: Cancer survivors can experience long-term negative effects from cancer and its treatment. Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms that cancer survivors experience. Opioids are often prescribed for pain; however, cancer survivors who have completed active treatment may have unique challenges with regard to pain management.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Oncology Patients: Perceptions of Oncology Health Care Providers.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted psychological well-being worldwide. Oncology health care professionals' (OHCPs') perceptions of psychological effects of COVID-19 among people in active cancer treatment were explored. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of OHCPs actively providing care were conducted.

ONS Guidelines™ to Support Patient Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications.

Purpose: This evidence-based guideline intends to support patients, clinicians, and others regarding interventions and processes to support patient adherence to oral anticancer medications (OAMs).

Methodologic Approach: A panel of healthcare professionals and patient representatives developed a clinical practice guideline to support patients taking OAMs. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology and criteria for trustworthy guidelines were followed.

Impact of COVID-19 on Oncology Healthcare Providers: The Resilience of a Profession.

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has plagued countries worldwide. This pandemic has greatly affected healthcare delivery and those providing care to vulnerable, immunocompromised patients undergoing cancer treatment, who are at a higher risk for poorer outcomes related to COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on oncology healthcare professionals (OHCPs).

The Use of Telehealth to Provide Continuity of Cancer Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Disparities, and Implications to Promote Health Equity.

Perceptions of oncology health care providers use of telehealth to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were explored. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling (N = 30) was conducted. Four themes emerged: 1) telehealth provided continuity of cancer care and used to decrease the risk of COVID-19 exposure; 2) advantages brought about convenience and inclusion of family caregivers; 3) telehealth revealed geographic, aging, and racial/ethnic disparities and digital illiteracy; and 4) rapid implementation was challenging.

Emergency preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions of oncology professionals and implications for nursing management from a qualitative study.

Aim: To explore oncology health care professionals' perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Background: The pandemic has created health care delivery challenges globally and many countries have exhibited low readiness and emergency preparedness.

Methods: A descriptive design using a qualitative approach was employed.

Understanding Cancer Survivors' Educational Needs About Prescription Opioid Medications: Implications for Cancer Education and Health Literacy.

Cancer survivors' perceptions of prescription opioid medication (POM) and the health communications they receive about POM's safety and effectiveness are embedded within the national discourse of the opioid epidemic. Using qualitative methods, this community-based study explored the health communication and the educational needs of diverse cancer survivors who received opioid agonist treatment to manage cancer pain. Our community-based sample consisted of 25 cancer survivors, 24 healthcare providers, and six community-level stakeholders.

Perceptions of prescription opioid medication within the context of cancer survivorship and the opioid epidemic.

Purpose: Prescription opioid medication can be of great benefit for cancer patients and survivors who suffer from cancer-related pain throughout their cancer care trajectory. However, the current opioid epidemic has influenced how such medications are perceived. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of opioid use and misuse in cancer survivorship within the context of the opioid epidemic.

Factors affecting medication beliefs among patients newly prescribed oral oncolytic agents.

Background: Prescribing oral oncolytic agents (OAs) for advanced cancers is increasing.

Aims: To explore changes in medication beliefs and the effects of symptom severity, cognitive effectiveness and depressive symptoms on medication beliefs over 12 weeks.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, testing an intervention to promote symptom management and adherence [N = 230].

Satisfaction With an Interactive Voice Response System and Symptom Management Toolkit Intervention to Improve Adherence in Patients Prescribed an Oral Anticancer Agent.

Objectives: To describe patient satisfaction with an interactive voice response (IVR) system to assess adherence and symptom management in patients newly prescribed an oral anticancer agent (OAA).

Sample & Setting: Patients prescribed a new OAA were recruited from six comprehensive cancer centers in the United States.

Methods & Variables: Cross-sectional analysis and descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics and satisfaction with the IVR system and symptom management toolkit.

How adverse events and permanent medication stoppages affect changes in patients' beliefs about oral antineoplastic agents.

Background: Patients with advanced cancer often experience adverse events related to oral antineoplastic agents (OAAs) and permanent OAA medication stoppages, yet it is unknown how these factors impact medication beliefs. Such beliefs about OAA therapy may lend insight into decisions about continued cancer treatment near the end of life.

Purpose: To explore relationships that adverse events and permanent OAA stoppages have on medication beliefs during the first 12 weeks following new OAA initiation.

Challenges of Caregivers of Cancer Patients who are on Oral Oncolytic Therapy.

Objective: To describe the major challenges faced by caregivers of patients receiving oral oncolytic therapy (OOT).

Data Sources: Published literature, national clinical practice guidelines, standards of care.

Conclusion: Caregivers of patients receiving OOT have unmet needs.

Conceptualisation of medication beliefs among patients with advanced cancer receiving oral oncolytic agents using a theory derivation approach.

Objective: This paper describes a derived model that provides a conceptual framework for understanding medication beliefs among patients with advanced cancer receiving oral oncolytic agents.

Methods: Theory derivation was used to (a) examine the phenomenon of medication beliefs in cross-disciplinary research; (b) select a parent theory for derivation; (c) identify parent theory concepts and/or structure to use in derivation; and (d) redefine parent theory concepts and structure to create a derived model.

Results: Medication beliefs are shaped by previous experiences, including cognitive and emotional factors, past health and illness encounters, and medication-taking behaviours.

Impact of Oral Anticancer Medication From a Family Caregiver Perspective.

Purpose: To describe how family caregivers of patients receiving oral anticancer medication (OAM) may affect family caregivers' lives and determine what support caregivers need to manage OAM in the home successfully.

Participants & Setting: Family caregivers of individuals with cancer prescribed OAM recruited from oncology clinics in the Midwest region of the United States.

Methodologic Approach: Focus group methodology was used to elicit caregivers' perspectives.

Factors Associated With Medication Beliefs in Patients With Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Problem Identification: Medication beliefs are linked to medication adherence in cancer treatment. Oral cancer treatments are increasing, making patients responsible for self-managing medication at home.

Literature Search: A literature search was performed using CINAHL®, PubMed, and PsycINFO.