Pharmacist's role in meeting the psychosocial needs of cancer patients using complementary therapy

Complementary therapy is commonly used amongst cancer patients. The motivation for cancer patients to use complementary therapy is complex. Pharmacists at the British Columbia Cancer Agency are often called on to advise patients on the use of herbs and dietary supplements. However, they do not routinely address the psychosocial needs that motivate the patients to use these products. The most common factors involved are increased anxiety, need for information, maintenance of hope, a sense of control, negative experience with conventional medicine, and perceived holistic nature of complementary therapy. Pharmacists are in a position to identify and address some of the psychosocial issues, either directly or through referral to appropriate psychosocial counsellors. This includes screening for patients with significant anxiety, helping search for accurate information on conventional and complementary treatments, and maintaining a sense of hope and self control. The opportunity to provide basic psychosocial training to pharmacists should be explored, so that they may systematically assess and address the more common, simple psychosocial issues in cancer patients who seek to use complementary therapy. Given the propensity of distress in cancer patients, in general, this may provide potential benefits for patients seeking conventional and complementary therapies.