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.

中文翻译：

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老年农村非裔美国人遵守癌症治疗的障碍和促进者：从患者及其护理者的角度了解经验

摘要本研究的目的是了解在北卡罗莱纳州东部农村地区，一个特别脆弱的老年人群在坚持癌症治疗方面遇到的障碍。对16名个体（8名癌症患者及其护理人员）进行了定性描述性访谈，以了解他们在坚持癌症治疗方面面临的挑战。根据分析得出了三个主题，包括运输和财务障碍以及协助患者遵守治疗方案的协助。运输壁垒是与正式和非正式系统相关的壁垒。财务障碍与治疗相关的费用有关。与会者还报告了通过正式和非正式方式促进遵守的方式。我们的发现支持了先前关于治疗依从性的研究，并增加了患者应对可能对疾病轨迹产生负面影响的障碍所采取措施的信息。获得的知识可以使服务提供者了解治疗依从性方面的问题，并有助于确定可以支持护理人员和患者规避此类挑战的干预措施。