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Predictors Of Nonadherence To Radiation Therapy Schedules Among Head And Neck Cancer Patients, Jennifer Lynn Miller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nonadherence to radiation therapy schedules is a documented problem among head and neck cancer patients. This retrospective dissertation study examined whether demographics, clinical characteristics, or physical and psychological symptoms were related to nonadherence in head and neck cancer patients. The electronic medical records of 262 head and neck cancer patients at a southeastern U.S. cancer center were reviewed to determine whether nonadherence was related to symptom scores and other patient and clinical-related factors. Nonadherent patients were more likely to be female, be admitted to the cancer center as inpatients during treatment and receive outpatient IV fluids during treatment. Nonadherent patients …