Symptom burden and poor adherence to oral anticancer agents remain significant clinical problems. This study examined feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and satisfaction with ADHERE, a nurse practitioner intervention that promotes symptom management and adherence among patients prescribed oral agents. The intervention group (which received one semistructured, face-to-face session followed by three weekly telephone sessions using motivational interviewing, brief cognitive-behavioral therapy, and a toolkit to promote self-management) had significantly lower symptom severity postintervention. Self-reported adherence was high and did not differ by group. Patients reported being highly satisfied with the ADHERE intervention.

AT A GLANCE

• No known standard of care exists for patients newly prescribed oral anticancer agents.
• Many patients with cancer treated with oral anticancer agents have difficulty managing side effects of treatment, which may lead to difficulty with adherence to the medication regimen, or adverse events.
• The intervention improved symptom severity compared to the control group.