title: Patient-physician communication regarding use of complementary therapies during cancer treatment.
abstract: It is estimated that as many as 80% of adult cancer patients use at least one form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) during or after conventional treatment. Studies of physician-patient communication about the use of CAM have concluded that patients frequently do not tell their oncologists about their use of CAM and physicians consistently underestimate the numbers of their patients using CAM. The purpose of this multi-site study was to assess newly diagnosed cancer patients' and oncologists' communication practices with regard to complementary therapies. Patients (106 breast and 82 prostate) indicated which of 45 complementary therapies they were using while physicians at their institutions indicated which they supported. It is noted that, although we use the popular acronym "CAM" all patients surveyed were receiving conventional medical treatment. Thus, the survey addressed complementary therapies only. A large majority (84%) indicated they were using at least one therapy with the most popular being exercise, vitamins, prayer, and nutritional supplements. Surprisingly, the oncologists surveyed were generally enthusiastic and supportive of patients' use of complementary therapies. In addition to those therapies popular with patients, at least half the physicians supported massage, journal writing, support groups, acupuncture, biofeedback, and art therapy. However, discussions of CAM are relatively rare and most likely to be initiated by patients. When the topic is discussed, both patients and doctors say it usually enhances their relationship. Implications for CAM program development and oncology professionals' roles in patient education regarding complementary therapies are presented.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
authors.forename: Cleora S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Danette
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hann
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Runfola
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiterman
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ampela
authors.forename: Okrae C K
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Kaw
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States