P04.03. Primary care providers’ attitudes and beliefs about, and personal use of, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Little is known about men with prostate cancer who decline conventional treatment and use only complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objectives To 1) explore why men decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM 2) understand the role of holistic healing in their care, and 3) document their recommendations for health care providers. Methods Semi-structured interviews and follow-up focus groups. Sample Twenty-nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer who declined all recommended conventional treatments and used CAM. Results Based on strong beliefs about healing, study participants took control by researching the risks of delaying or declining conventional treatment while using CAM as a first option. Most perceived conventional treatment to have a negative impact on quality of life. Participants sought healing in a broader mind, body, spirit context, developing individualized CAM approaches consistent with their beliefs about the causes of cancer. Most made significant lifestyle changes to improve their health. Spirituality was central to healing for one-third of the sample. Participants recommended a larger role for integrated cancer care. Conclusion Men who decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM only may benefit from a whole person approach to care where physicians support them to play an active role in healing while carefully monitoring their disease status.

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Communication about Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Danish Oncological Settings: An Intervention Study

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000507565 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 392-400

Author(s):

Nina Nissen ◽

Sara Seerup Laursen ◽

Henriette Knold Rossau

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Care Providers ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Before And After ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Purpose: Communication about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) between cancer patients and health professionals rarely takes place. This article reports on an intervention study that aimed to support communication about the use and effects of CAM between cancer patients and care providers. Methods: The intervention consisted of the use of evidence-based information material (website; leaflet) about the effects of CAM for cancer. Focus groups with cancer patients, relatives, nurses and doctors (n = 50) determined the preferred content and format of materials and evaluated the intervention. The information material was informed by a related systematic metareview of literature. A survey identified patient participants’ CAM use, information sources, and the extent of communication about CAM before and after the intervention. Results: No significant impact of the intervention on communication about CAM for cancer patients, patients’ CAM use or sources of information was identified. Health professionals disseminated the leaflet only in response to patients raising the topic; the website was not accessed during consultations. The intervention and information materials were well received. Conclusion: Cancer patients and care providers wish to improve communication about CAM. Nevertheless, patients and professionals wait for the other to broach the subject of CAM. This reflects a “culture of waiting.”

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