Problem identification: Adherence to oral chemotherapy is influenced by many factors. This qualitative evidence synthesis aimed to contribute to an interpretive understanding of the factors that act as facilitators or barriers to adherence among people with cancer taking lifelong, noncurative oral chemotherapy.
Literature search: A systematic search strategy was developed, and searching was undertaken across several electronic databases (CINAHL®, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EThOS, ProQuest, PsycINFO®, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science including MEDLINE®).
Data evaluation: 12 reports on 10 qualitative studies were included in the synthesis. A total of 206 patients were included, with 109 taking an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, along with a total of 57 healthcare professionals.
Synthesis: Two principal analytic themes (driving adherence and disabling adherence) and seven subthemes were identified.
Implications for practice: A trusting relationship between healthcare professionals and patients is important to adherence. Open discussions concerning treatment side effects and patients' perceived quality of life should occur at each visit.
Keywords: adherence; cancer; chemotherapy; oral; qualitative evidence synthesis.