The behaviors of seeking a second opinion from other health-care professionals and the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in gynecologic cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to determine the predictors for seeking a second opinion and the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among gynecologic cancer patients.


METHODS
Patients attending a gynecologic cancer clinic of a tertiary referral center were recruited over a period of 1 year. A survey was conducted for all the participants in a one-on-one basis.


RESULTS
One hundred ninety-one patients were recruited. Eighty patients (41.9%) had consulted other health-care professionals (HCP) for a second opinion after they were diagnosed to have cancer and 89 (46.6%) had utilized CAM. In multivariate analysis, late-stage disease (OR=2.65, 95% CI 1.26-5.58), treatment with radiotherapy (OR=2.27, 95% CI 1.19-4.33) and tertiary education (OR=11.28, 95% CI 3.06-41.54) were independent predictors for seeking a second opinion from other HCP and utilization of CAM. Patients who sought a second opinion from other HCP were more likely to utilize CAM (OR=6.12, 95% CI 3.24-11.54). Eighty percent of the patients did not inform their usual caregiver their utilization of CAM.


CONCLUSIONS
Seeking a second opinion from other HCP is common in gynecologic cancer patients. Patients who seek a second opinion are more likely to utilize CAM.
Tam
K F
KF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. tamkfa@netvigator.com
Cheng
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Ngan
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016896:Treatment Outcome