Evaluating Integrative Cancer Clinics With the Claim Assessment Profile: An Example With the InspireHealth Clinic

Area of Science:

• Integrative oncology
• Clinical program evaluation

Background:

• Evaluating freestanding integrative cancer programs is difficult and seldom performed.
• The Claim Assessment Profile (CAP) was developed to assess evaluation justification, feasibility, and utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• Clarify healing claims at InspireHealth, an integrative oncology program.
• Assess the clinic's current research capacity.
• Develop a program theory and path model for future research.

Main Methods:

• Employed a case study design using rapid assessment approaches.
• Included site visits, qualitative interviews with 26 providers/staff, surveys, and observational data.

Main Results:

• InspireHealth is a thriving, multi-site integrative oncology practice focused on patient support and engagement.
• The program utilizes a standardized, patient-centered care protocol.
• High staff research interest and available resources were noted.

Conclusions:

• The analysis yielded descriptive data, claim clarification, an evaluation readiness report, and logic/path models.
• Prospective evaluation of InspireHealth is feasible and would be valuable.
• Findings contribute to the knowledge base of integrative cancer therapies.