scholarly journals Individualized Integrative Cancer Care in Anthroposophic Medicine

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunver S. Kienle ◽  
Milena Mussler ◽  
Dieter Fuchs ◽  
Helmut Kiene
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Anthroposophic Medicine ◽  
Integrative Oncology ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background. Cancer patients widely seek integrative oncology which embraces a wide variety of treatments and system approaches. Objective. To investigate the concepts, therapeutic goals, procedures, and working conditions of integrative oncology doctors in the field of anthroposophic medicine. Methods. This qualitative study was based on in-depth interviews with 35 highly experienced doctors working in hospitals and office-based practices in Germany and other countries. Structured qualitative content analysis was applied to examine the data. Results. The doctors integrated conventional and holistic cancer concepts. Their treatments aimed at both tumor and symptom control and at strengthening the patient on different levels: living with the disease, overcoming the disease, enabling emotional and cognitive development, and addressing spiritual or transcendental issues according to the patient’s wishes and initiatives. Therapeutic procedures were conventional anticancer and symptom-relieving treatments, herbal and mineral remedies, mistletoe therapy, art therapies, massages and other external applications, nutrition and lifestyle advice, psychological support, and multiple forms of empowerment. The approach emphasised good patient-doctor relationships and sufficient time for patient encounters and decision-making. Individualization appeared in several dimensions and was interwoven with standards and mindlines. The doctors often worked in teams and cooperated with other cancer care–related specialists. Conclusion. Integrative cancer care pursues an individualized and patient-centered approach, encompassing conventional and multimodal complementary interventions, and addressing, along with physical and functional needs, the emotional and spiritual needs of patients. This seems to be important for tumor and symptom control, and addresses major challenges and important goals of modern cancer care.

scholarly journals Intravenous Mistletoe Treatment in Integrative Cancer Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Procedures, Concepts, and Observations of Expert Doctors

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunver S. Kienle ◽  
Milena Mussler ◽  
Dieter Fuchs ◽  
Helmut Kiene
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Anthroposophic Medicine ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Patient Assessments ◽  
Lymphangitis Carcinomatosa

Background. Mistletoe therapy (MT) is widely used in patient-centered integrative cancer care. The objective of this study was to explore the concepts, procedures, and observations of expert doctors, with a focus on intravenous MT.Method. A qualitative interview study was conducted with 35 highly experienced doctors specialized in integrative and anthroposophic medicine. Structured qualitative content analysis was applied. For triangulation, the results were compared with external evidence that was systematically collected, reviewed, and presented.Results. Doctors perform individualized patient assessments that lead to multimodal treatment approaches. The underlying goal is to help patients to live with and overcome disease. Mistletoe infusions are a means of accomplishing this goal. They are applied to stabilize disease, achieve responsiveness, induce fever, improve quality of life, and improve the tolerability of conventional cancer treatments. The doctors reported long-term disease stability and improvements in patients’ general condition, vitality, strength, thermal comfort, appetite, sleep, pain from bone metastases, dyspnea in pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa, fatigue, and cachexia; chemotherapy was better tolerated. Also patients’ emotional and mental condition was reported to have improved.Conclusion. Individualized integrative cancer treatment including MT aims to help cancer patients to live well with their disease. Further research should investigate the reported observations.

Integrative Oncology: An Overview

2014 ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Deng ◽  
Barrie Cassileth
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Alternative Therapies ◽  
Integrative Oncology ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Physician Patient Relationship

Integrative oncology, the diagnosis-specific field of integrative medicine, addresses symptom control with nonpharmacologic therapies. Known commonly as “complementary therapies” these are evidence-based adjuncts to mainstream care that effectively control physical and emotional symptoms, enhance physical and emotional strength, and provide patients with skills enabling them to help themselves throughout and following mainstream cancer treatment. Integrative or complementary therapies are rational and noninvasive. They have been subjected to study to determine their value, to document the problems they ameliorate, and to define the circumstances under which such therapies are beneficial. Conversely, “alternative” therapies typically are promoted literally as such; as actual antitumor treatments. They lack biologic plausibility and scientific evidence of safety and efficacy. Many are outright fraudulent. Conflating these two very different categories by use of the convenient acronym “CAM,” for “complementary and alternative therapies,” confuses the issue and does a substantial disservice to patients and medical professionals. Complementary and integrative modalities have demonstrated safety value and benefits. If the same were true for “alternatives,” they would not be “alternatives.” Rather, they would become part of mainstream cancer care. This manuscript explores the medical and sociocultural context of interest in integrative oncology as well as in “alternative” therapies, reviews commonly-asked patient questions, summarizes research results in both categories, and offers recommendations to help guide patients and family members through what is often a difficult maze. Combining complementary therapies with mainstream oncology care to address patients' physical, psychologic and spiritual needs constitutes the practice of integrative oncology. By recommending nonpharmacologic modalities that reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life, physicians also enable patients to play a role in their care. Critical for most patients, this also improves the physician-patient relationship, the quality of cancer care, and the well-being of patients and their families.

End-of-Life Needs of Dying Patients and Their Families in Mainland China: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282199734
Author(s):  
Guobin Cheng ◽  
Chuqian Chen
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Dying Patients

Objective To map the current research status and understand existing findings regarding end-of-life care needs in Mainland China. Method First-hand, empirical studies on the needs of dying patients and/or their families in Mainland China were searched in Web of Science, Scopus, Proquest, Taylor & Francis Online and CNKI in December 2019. Findings were synthesized. Results A total of 33 (10 qualitative) studies were involved. Chinese dying patients and their families had physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs and needs for knowledge and information. Prevalent needs of dying patients were mainly symptom control and decent look, being treated kindly by professional caregivers, family accompany, dignity, and comfortable environment. Families mainly need healthcare professionals to take good care of patients and wishes for information, knowledge, and facilities to help themselves become better caregivers. Conclusions Findings lay the foundation for effective and tailored services for Chinese clients and provided insights for future investigations.

scholarly journals PS2-26: Measuring Patient-Centered Communication in Cancer Care: A Systematic Approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 143-143
Author(s):  
L. McCormack ◽  
K. Treiman ◽  
M. Olmsted ◽  
D. Rupert ◽  
N. Arora
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Patient Centered

Comparative Effectiveness of a Patient Centered Pathology Report for Bladder Cancer Care

2016 ◽  
Vol 196 (5) ◽  
pp. 1383-1389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Mossanen ◽  
Liam C. Macleod ◽  
Alice Chu ◽  
Jonathan L. Wright ◽  
Bruce Dalkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Pathology Report ◽  
Patient Centered

scholarly journals Perspectives on the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccination among Somali Mothers in Stockholm

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha Jama ◽  
Mona Ali ◽  
Ann Lindstrand ◽  
Robb Butler ◽  
Asli Kulane
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Mmr Vaccine ◽  
Rubella Vaccination ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: Vaccination hesitancy and skepticism among parents hinders progress in achieving full vaccination coverage. Swedish measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage is high however some areas with low vaccination coverage risk outbreaks. This study aimed to explore factors influencing the decision of Somali parents living in the Rinkeby and Tensta districts of Stockholm, Sweden, on whether or not to vaccinate their children with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Method: Participants were 13 mothers of at least one child aged 18 months to 5 years, who were recruited using snowball sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted in Somali and Swedish languages and the data generated was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Both written and verbal informed consent were obtained from participants. Results: Seven of the mothers had not vaccinated their youngest child at the time of the study and decided to postpone the vaccination until their child became older (delayers). The other six mothers had vaccinated their child for MMR at the appointed time (timely vaccinators). The analysis of the data revealed two main themes: (1) barriers to vaccinate on time, included issues surrounding fear of the child not speaking and unpleasant encounters with nurses and (2) facilitating factors to vaccinate on time, included heeding vaccinating parents’ advice, trust in nurses and trust in God. The mothers who had vaccinated their children had a positive impact in influencing other mothers to also vaccinate. Conclusions: Fear, based on the perceived risk that vaccination will lead to autism, among Somali mothers in Tensta and Rinkeby is evident and influenced by the opinions of friends and relatives. Child Healthcare Center nurses are important in the decision-making process regarding acceptance of MMR vaccination. There is a need to address mothers’ concerns regarding vaccine safety while improving the approach of nurses as they address these concerns.

scholarly journals Media, Culture and Indigenous Languages in Pakistan: A Critical Review

2020 ◽  
Vol V (IV) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Irem Sultana ◽  
Malik Adnan ◽  
Muhammad Imran Mehsud
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Indigenous Languages ◽  
Media Culture ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Media ◽  
Depth Interviews

This research paper inspected the role of Pakistani media to protect indigenous languages and culture in Pakistan. The study examined the situation; if Pakistani media outpours concern with the native languages or not. The article also checked the media landscape, its language-wise segregation and scenario of literacy in different areas of the country. The outcomes of the study showed that Pakistani media is neglecting the indigenous languages. The study results exhibited clearly that media houses’ focus on protecting native languages, is not profound. The findings also showed that foreign ownership of Media houses plays a role in neglecting indigenous language promotions. The current study presented that Pakistani mainstream media is damaging the local and native languages. The study was the outcome of qualitative content analysis and in-depth interviews of senior communication experts.

scholarly journals Experience with the triple fixed combination in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

2022 ◽  
pp. 80-85
Author(s):  
I. V. Demko ◽  
M. G. Mamaeva ◽  
E. A. Sobko ◽  
A. Yu. Kraposhina ◽  
N. V. Gordeeva
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Fixed Combination ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important problems of modern medicine associated with a high mortality rate, high costs of treatment and relief of exacerbations of COPD. The main objectives of COPD treatment are symptom control, reduce the frequency of exacerbations and hospitalizations, and reduced risk of exacerbation in the future. The recommendations of the GOLD initiative propose a treatment approach based on the assessment of exacerbation rates external respiratory function indicators (spirometric classification of GOLD), the severity of symptoms assessed on the CAT test and mMRC. When choosing therapy, the physician must first of all take into account the effectiveness, safety of the drug, adherence to treatment in order to achieve the therapeutic goals of treating patients with COPD. The change in therapeutic approaches in COPD treatment is associated with the accumulation of knowledge in physiology, clinical pharmacology, and the isolation of new clinical phenotypes of COPD. Currently, the main classes of drugs for the treatment of COPD are long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), longacting anticholinergics (LAMA), and inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICS). The evolution of therapeutic approaches in COPD treatment has led to the creation of new fixed inhalation combinations of the main groups of drugs for COPD treatment. The therapeutic strategies recommended by GOLD and the Russian Federal Guidelines determine the long-term goals of COPD treatment – the impact on the risk of exacerbations in the future. The presented clinical observation of a patient with severe COPD demonstrates the effectiveness of a triple fixed combination vilanterol/umeclidinium/fluticasone furoate 55/22/92 μg as a basic therapy. The  chosen treatment strategy not only reduces the  severity of  the  symptoms of  the  disease, but also reduces the  risk of exacerbations in the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document