Barriers and facilitators to cancer treatment adherence for older Rural African Americans: Understanding the experience from the view of patients and their caregivers

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to understand the barriers that a particularly vulnerable sub-population of older adults experience in adhering to cancer treatments in rural eastern North Carolina. Qualitative descriptive interviews were completed with 16 individuals (8 cancer patients and their caregivers) about the challenges they face in adhering to cancer treatments. Three themes emerged based on the analysis which included transportation and financial barriers, and assistance that facilitated patients to adhere to treatment protocols. Transportation barriers were those associated with both the formal and informal systems. Financial barriers were related to costs associated with treatment. Participants also reported on ways in which adherence was facilitated via both formal and informal means. Our findings support those of previous research on treatment adherence and add information on the actions patients take in response to barriers that can negatively impact their disease trajectory. The knowledge gained can inform service providers about the issues in treatment adherence and help identify interventions that could support caregivers and patients to circumvent such challenges.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• cancer
• care giver
• African American families
• rural
• treatment adherence

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all of our participants for sharing their experiences with us. We are also greatly appreciative of the support from all cancer center and social service organization staff who helped us recruit the participants for this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by East Carolina University (ECU), Research and Creative Activity Grant as well as ECU, Division of Research Economic Development & Engagement Start Up Program. Additional support was provided by the ECU School of Social Work, and College of Health and Human Performance.