Complementary therapy use by cancer patients. Physicians' perceptions, attitudes, and ideas.
OBJECTIVE
To explore family physicians' perceptions of their cancer patients' use of complementary therapy.


METHODS
Qualitative pilot study.


METHODS
British Columbia and Alberta.


METHODS
Rural and urban family physicians.


METHODS
Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 28 participants. Content analysis of focus group transcripts.


RESULTS
Eight themes were identified: definition of complementary therapies, importance of holistic health, role of evidence, attitudes toward complementary therapies, perceptions of cancer patients' use of complementary therapies, patient-physician communication, perceptions of family physicians' role with respect to complementary therapies, and concerns about complementary therapies. Family physicians believed that many of their patients were using complementary therapies and that patients and physicians needed to communicate about this practice.


CONCLUSIONS
The study increased understanding of physicians'perspectives on communication about complementary therapies and exposed issues that need to be addressed through education and research.
O'Beirne
Maeve
M
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, AB. obeirne@ucalgary.ca
Verhoef
Marja
M
Paluck
Elan
E
Herbert
Carol
C
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001955:British Columbia; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data