Acupuncture in palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into designated acupuncture points to aid in the treatment of symptoms and to improve health.


METHODS
A survey was conducted in a tertiary palliative care unit where 50 patients with advanced cancer were surveyed to determine their understanding of, use of, and interest in acupuncture.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven (54%) patients provided an accurate understanding of acupuncture. Although only 30% of patients had previously used acupuncture to treat noncancer medical conditions and only 10% had used it for cancer related symptoms, 80% of patients were interested in seeing an acupuncture practitioner on the care unit if one was made available.


CONCLUSIONS
Although few advanced cancer patients on a tertiary palliative care unit had previously received acupuncture, many had a general understanding of this complementary therapy, and expressed an interest in seeing an acupuncture practitioner.
Faily
Joan
J
Edmonton Palliative Medicine Program, Regional Palliative Care Consult Team, Health Services Building, Grey Nuns Hospital, 1100 Youville Drive W, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Joan.Faily@capitalhealth.ca
Oneschuk
Doreen
D
D026881:Acupuncture; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care