Complementary therapies and cancer care: an overview.
The use of complementary therapies by patients with cancer is increasingly common, despite limited evidence for their efficacy and safety. The widespread use of complementary therapies has major implications for research and practice. In this paper, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding issues related to the use of complementary therapies by patients with cancer. So far, complementary therapies have not been defined very well, which makes it difficult to assess the precise extent of their use. The difference in philosophy underlying conventional and complementary treatments appears to contribute to the attractiveness of complementary therapies. Conventional medical practitioners are beginning to recognize the importance of many of the elements of this philosophy, which is evidenced in the patient-centered model. Explaining how patients with cancer make the decision to use complementary therapies has been the subject of many studies. However, as yet, no formal theory of decision making has been developed. Communication between patients and physicians about complementary therapies is an important part of the patients' decision-making process. Many gaps can be identified in knowledge of complementary therapy use by patients with cancer. Not only is there a need to increase knowledge by conducting more research and improving the research infrastructure, but attention should also be paid to information dissemination, education, and planning and development of health policies.
Verhoef
M J
MJ
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1. mverhoef@ucalgary.ca
Hilsden
R J
RJ
O'Beirne
M
M
D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012107:Research Design; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome