Exploring the role of physician communication about adjuvant endocrine therapy among breast cancer patients on active treatment: A qualitative analysis.

e12055Background: Physicians play an important role in the on-going care of breast cancer survivors, particularly women who are actively taking adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). The role of the physician can both positively and negatively affect medication adherence. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore, from the breast cancer patient’s perspective, how physicians communicate with them about AET treatment. Methods: Qualitative methods using semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with breast cancer patients (n = 22) who filled a prescription for AET in the previous 12 months. Interview questions aimed to elicit experiences with AET. We reviewed and coded interview transcripts using qualitative principles of inductive reasoning to identify concepts and themes. Results: We grouped emergent themes into four major functions of physician-patient communication: (1) information exchange, (2) decision-making to take and continue AET, (3) enabling patient self-management and monitoring p...