[Integrating complementary medicine in oncology supportive care: assessment of patients' needs and expectations during chemotherapy]

Abstract

Background: During the Last decade complementary medicine is gradually being integrated within conventional oncology care in Western countries. In 2008, an integrative oncology program was implemented within the Clalit Oncology Service (COS) of the Haifa and Western-Galilee district of Clalit Health Organization aiming to promote patients' well-being during chemotherapy and in advanced disease.

Objective: To identify needs and distress of patients with regard to combining complementary medicine with the supporting treatment for improvement of quality of life.

Methods: A study using semi-constructed interviews with 31 patients during chemotherapy was performed at two outpatient oncology centers of the Clalit HMO in northern Israel.

Results: Most participants reported significant deterioration in their quality of life during chemotherapy, mainly related to fatigue, work cessation and mood disorder. Interest in complementary medicine significantly correlated with the participants' awareness of the mind-body connection. Most participants reported on their interest to consult with physicians specializing in complementary medicine as an integral part of the oncology service care. The most favorable complementary therapies reported by patients were nutritional counseling, herbal medicine and traditional healing.

Conclusions: Asking patients during chemotherapy on their beliefs regarding mind and body connections may be used as a screening question to identify patients interested in experiencing complementary therapies. Integrating physician counseling regarding complementary medicine within the oncology service may address patients' needs and concerns by matching therapies to specific symptoms and chemotherapy side-effects.