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Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences, 2025, 6(6); doi: 10.25236/AJMHS.2025.060603.

Adherence to Oral Chemotherapy Agents in Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review

Author(s)

Nina Xie1, Yuping Xiao1, Ruimei Jia1, Yang Liu1, Xixi Zhang1, Yu Zhang2

Corresponding Author:
Yu Zhang
Affiliation(s)

1School of Nursing, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China

2Department of Internal Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Xi'an, China

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a scoping review of research related to oral chemotherapy drug adherence in cancer patients, providing a reference for the development of standardized intervention protocols for cancer patients. Based on the scoping review framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, we systematically searched eight databases up to December 1, 2024, according to three research questions, and conducted screening and information extraction. A total of 22 studies were included. Most interventions are based on assessment, education, monitoring, and follow-up, primarily led by nurses, pharmacists, or multidisciplinary teams. Intervention content includes core knowledge such as medication administration methods, identification and management of side effects, and self-management strategies, supplemented by behavioral support and psychological adjustment techniques. Outcome evaluation indicators primarily include questionnaire or self-report tools to assess behavioral changes, supplemented by objective monitoring data on adherence rates. Although there has been an increase in intervention studies on oral chemotherapy medication adherence, few have undergone rigorous validation, and there is a lack of interventions tailored to the needs of different patient populations. It is recommended that future research be based on appropriate theoretical models to develop strategies to improve adherence and explain the underlying mechanisms. Digital interventions offer a new direction for improving oral chemotherapy adherence, particularly for elderly home-dwelling patients. However, their effectiveness depends on technical design and patient acceptance. Therefore, future efforts should focus on developing humanized, elderly-friendly smart care systems, optimizing the specific content of intervention programs, conducting high-quality research, and promoting improved medication adherence to enhance patients' self-management capabilities.

Keywords

Cancer Patients; Oral Chemotherapy; Adherence; Interventions; Scoping Review

Cite This Paper

Nina Xie, Yuping Xiao, Ruimei Jia, Yang Liu, Xixi Zhang, Yu Zhang. Adherence to Oral Chemotherapy Agents in Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2025), Vol. 6, Issue 6: 16-23. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2025.060603.

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