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Complementary and alternative medicine used by pediatric patients with cancer in western Turkey
Rabia E Genc1, Selmin Senol, Ayse S Turgay
1Izmir Ataturk School of Health, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. rabia.genc@ege.edu.tr
Purpose/Objectives:
To determine the extent of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, the types of therapies employed, and the reasons for choosing those therapies.
Design:
Descriptive type, cross-sectional.
Setting:
Pediatric oncology department in western Turkey.
Sample:
112 children receiving or completing treatment for cancer.
Methods:
Parents of 112 children completed a questionnaire regarding CAM use. Analyses included examining correlations between CAM use and demographic variables.
Main Research Variables:
CAM use and demographic variables.
Findings:
77% of the patients used one or more type of CAM, with herb use being the most common.
Conclusions:
About 75% of parents used CAM for their children. However, about 25% sought discussion with the physician about the CAM they were using.
Implications For Nursing:
Nurses should approach their patients without prejudice, gather information about the various CAM techniques, and share this knowledge with their patients.
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