Integrated care: utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine within a conventional cancer treatment centre.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the proportion of cancer outpatients who visit a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) unit that is located within a conventional cancer treatment centre; to compare the characteristics of CAM unit visitors with those of all outpatients; to monitor the demand for 20 CAM therapies delivered by professionals, and the use of the CAM unit for waiting, gathering information and informal support from volunteer staff.


METHODS
Prospective, observational, over a six month period.


METHODS
CAM unit within a NHS cancer treatment centre.


METHODS
Utilisation of the CAM unit for 20 complementary therapies, and for waiting, gathering information, informal support; characteristics of CAM users compared with those of all cancer outpatients attending the cancer centre; predictors of CAM therapy use and frequent use.


RESULTS
761 (95% of those approached) people were recruited, 498 (65.4%) cancer patients, 202 (26.5%) relatives, 37 (4.8%) friends/carers, 24 (3.2%) staff. Women predominated (n=560, 73.6%). Of all outpatients attending the cancer centre, 498 (15.8%) visited the CAM unit, 290 (9.2%) accessed therapies. Compared to all outpatients, those visiting the CAM unit were: younger (mean 63.7 vs. 58.4 years), more likely to be female (57.9% vs. 78.7%), have breast (14.8% vs. 51.9%), gynaecological (5.0% vs. 9.1%) cancer, live in local postal district (57.3% vs. 61.6%). Significant predictors of therapy use and frequent visits were being a patient, female, higher education, living closer to the cancer centre.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite easy access to CAM therapies, a relatively small number of people regularly used them, whilst a larger number selectively tried a few. The integrated CAM unit meets a demand for information and informal support. The findings inform emerging policy on integrating CAM and conventional cancer treatment to address psychosocial needs of people with cancer. More research is needed on why people do not use integrated CAM services and how charges affect demand.
Gage
Heather
H
Department of Economics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
Storey
Lesley
L
McDowell
Charlotte
C
Maguire
Gail
G
Williams
Peter
P
Faithfull
Sara
S
Thomas
Hilary
H
Poole
Karen
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010346:Patient Care Management; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom