Perceptions and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Patients with Cancer and Their Family Members...

This study aimed to assess the awareness, perception, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Korean patients with cancer and their caregivers. Furthermore, it evaluated CAM information sources, the reliability of these sources, communication patterns with clinicians, and the effect of caregiver beliefs on the use of CAM and patients' attitudes toward CAM.

A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2021 to January 2022 across 19 hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients with cancer and their accompanying caregivers were recruited via convenience sampling from outpatient oncology clinics and inpatient settings and completed a structured questionnaire. Data from 1,804 patients and 768 family members were analyzed using descriptive statistics and appropriate comparative tests.

Among patients, 47.2% had heard of CAM, and 41.0% expressed belief in it. Biologically based therapies were the most commonly used form of CAM among users (55.0%). The primary sources of CAM information were family/relatives (24.8%) and television (23.8%), whereas medical professionals accounted for only 5.4% of sources, although doctors and nurses were perceived as the most reliable (mean reliability: 3.43 on a 5-point scale). A significant communication gap was observed, with 71.7% of patients not discussing CAM with their medical professionals. Common reasons for non-disclosure included a lack of patient interest (39.4% of non-disclosers), the perception that CAM was irrelevant to their doctors (27.6%), and concerns about physician disapproval. Among patients who did consult their clinicians, 60.8% were advised against CAM use. Caregivers' CAM beliefs significantly influenced patients' beliefs (odds ratio [OR], 4.242; p<0.001), although this did not translate into a statistically significant direct effect on CAM use by patients (OR, 1.449; p=0.105).

CAM awareness and use are substantial among Korean patients with cancer; however, a critical communication gap with healthcare providers persists. Family members are key information sources, and caregiver beliefs influence patient beliefs regarding CAM. Proactive, empathetic, and evidence-based communication about CAM is essential to promote shared decision-making and ensure safe, patient-centered integrative cancer care.