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Complementary therapies and cancer care: an overview
M J Verhoef1, R J Hilsden, M O'Beirne
1Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1. mverhoef@ucalgary.ca
Patient Education and Counseling
|October 8, 2003
Summary
Patients with cancer increasingly use complementary therapies, but evidence of their effectiveness and safety is limited. More research, better infrastructure, and improved communication are needed to address knowledge gaps and inform health policies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Complementary therapy use in cancer care is rising, yet efficacy and safety data remain scarce.
- Ambiguous definitions of complementary therapies hinder accurate assessment of their prevalence.
- Philosophical differences between conventional and complementary medicine influence patient choices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of current knowledge on complementary therapy use in cancer patients.
- To identify gaps in understanding patient decision-making and physician communication.
- To highlight implications for research, practice, and health policy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on complementary therapies in oncology.
- Analysis of factors influencing patient decisions to use complementary therapies.
- Examination of communication patterns between patients and healthcare providers.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence exists regarding the efficacy and safety of many complementary therapies.
- A formal theory explaining patient decision-making for complementary therapies is lacking.
- Communication gaps between patients and physicians regarding complementary therapies are prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Significant knowledge gaps persist in understanding complementary therapy use among cancer patients.
- Further research, improved infrastructure, and enhanced information dissemination are crucial.
- Development of health policies and patient-centered models requires addressing these knowledge deficits.