Subjective Experience with Medications of Patients living with Breast Cancer: a Photovoice

Abstract

Introduction: The subjective experience with medication must be understood and explored in the day-to-day clinical practice. Objective: To understand the subjective experience with the medications of women living with breast cancer. Method: Qualitative study with the theoretical and methodological orientation of the Subjective Experience with Medications proposed by Ramalho de Oliveira & Shoemaker and Photovoice from the perspective of Wang and Burris from a cancer hospital in Minas Gerais between August and November 2017. The sample of three participants was established at the time when the inclusion of new participants did not add anything new to the research and the objectives were achieved. The inclusion criterion was intentional among women accompanied by the Medication Therapy Management services and who accepted to participate in the study. Participants used photographs to portray their experiences with the use of medications. These photographs were discussed and interpreted in photodialogue; these were recorded and transcribed whose data were interpreted by the inductive data analysis. Results: The experience with the use of medications was defined in four thematic units: 1. Chemotherapy and the idea of hair loss; 2. Implications of subjective experience with medications in family and work relationships; 3. Valuing the use of endocrine therapy: adherence to treatment. 4. The body's response to chemotherapy reactions! Conclusion: The themes of the study validated the importance of Pharmaceutical Care operationalized by the Medication Therapy Management in the context of women with breast cancer.