Ethical issues in integrative oncology.
Integrative oncology relates to an emerging dialog between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) scholars, oncologists, family practitioners, and other health care providers who envision an extended and holistic patient-centered approach to oncology care. The multiple commitments of integrative oncology to a medical humanistic approach and to a strong evidence-based foundation may impose considerable ethical concerns and dilemmas. The authors use narrative ethics to present a case study that exemplifies the ethical challenges confronting physicians and health care providers who wish to provide an integrative approach for their patients. An ethical analysis of the narrative is provided to help clarify the ethical issues and conflicts within it. Finally, a framework that may transform ethical constraints to a communication tool is proposed.
Ben-Arye
Eran
E
Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Clalit Health Services, 6 Hashahaf Street, Haifa 35013, Israel. eranben@netvision.net.il
Schiff
Elad
E
Golan
Ofra
O
D000328:Adult; D000887:Anthroposophy; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000941:ethics*; D003469:Culture; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006405:Hematology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000941:ethics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin