Integrative medicine consultation service in a comprehensive cancer center: findings and outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
This study portrays the characteristics of patients who attended an integrative oncology clinic at a large comprehensive cancer center and evaluated whether this service addressed patients' concerns about complementary and integrative medicine (CIM).


METHODS
Patient information was collected prior to an integrative consultation, including demographics, previous use of CIM, and primary reason for requesting the consultation. Concerns and outcomes were measured using the Measure Yourself Concerns and Well-being (MYCaW) Scale at the consultation and then again at follow-up (6-12 weeks later). Patients met with a physician for an integrative consultation that included a discussion of nutrition, supplements, physical activity, useful complementary therapies, and the mind-body-spirit connection.


RESULTS
A total of 238 patients were referred for consultation regarding the integration of CIM into their care. The majority of participants were female (60%, n = 143), and the mean age was 56 years (range, 21-90 years), with all major cancer types represented. Patients' leading concerns were related to "What else can I do?" and "How can I better cope?" Although distressed over these concerns at the initial consultation, intense distress (5-6 out of 6 on the MYCaW scale) was reduced to less than half (31%) by the follow-up visit. Additional qualitative data revealed that patients value the process of obtaining reliable information that empowers them to be more involved in managing their care.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrative medicine consultations at a large comprehensive cancer center appear to provide some benefit in addressing patients' concerns about CIM use.
Frenkel
Moshe
M
Integrative Medicine Program, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA. frenkelm@netvision.net.il
Cohen
Lorenzo
L
Peterson
Noemi
N
Palmer
J Lynn
JL
Swint
Kay
K
Bruera
Eduardo
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult