title: Decision making related to complementary therapies: a process of regaining control.
abstract: The process by which women with breast cancer make decisions related to using complementary therapies was investigated using grounded theory. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 16 women receiving orthodox treatment from across the breast cancer trajectory and who used a wide range of complementary therapies. Constant comparative analysis revealed that decision making regarding complementary therapies involved three interconnected sequential phases: (1) Getting something in place: covering all the bases, (2) hand-picking complementary therapies that fit: getting a personalized regimen in place and (3) living with the security of complementary therapies: fine-tuning a regimen to live with. Factors that influenced the decision-making process, both positively and negatively, were identified. Decision making related to the use of complementary therapies was perceived as a means of regaining control during experiences of uncertainty associated with breast cancer; the outcome of which was the maintenance of hope. Implications for supporting women's decision-making efforts regarding complementary therapies are presented.
authors.affiliation: Vancouver Cancer Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4E6. ttruant@bccancer.bc.ca
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Truant
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bottorff
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002755:Choice Behavior; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D018579:Patient Selection; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*