title: Integrating complementary and conventional symptom management in a cancer center.
abstract: One goal of oncology nursing is to help patients achieve the best possible quality of life. In the conventional care perspective, quality of life has four aspects: physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. From the complementary care perspective, it is defined as harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Integrating these perspectives of quality of life allows us to have a fuller and richer view of the patient, accentuating the core of his or her being: values, beliefs, and goals. The Pain and Symptom Management Service has embraced this integrated view and, by doing so, has improved symptom management outcomes for patients and their families.
authors.affiliation: Pain and Palliative Care Program at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation