title: Why people choose to not use complementary therapies during cancer treatment: a focus group study.
abstract: While 50% of cancer patients use complementary therapies (CT) during treatment, few studies have examined why individuals choose not to use CT. This study aimed to address this gap in knowledge using a focus group methodology, where 36 participants took part in one of eight groups; participants were recruited until saturation of themes was achieved. Three categories of participants were investigated: patients/recent survivors (n= 14); volunteers/advocates (n= 16), the majority of whom were also long-term survivors; and health professionals (n= 6). Focus groups were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically using NVivo software. Reasons for non-use fell into four broad themes: (1) Resource barriers, particularly the cost and lack of time; (2) fear and distrust, including the potential for drug interactions; (3) lack of evidence, including the unproven nature of many CT practices; and (4) satisfaction with conventional treatment. Two further themes related to the benefits of non-use and reasons for discontinuation. A sub-analysis indicated that reasons for non-use differed by CT category, with non-use being mentioned more frequently for biologically based and body-based therapies. Differences in understanding CT non-use emerged between patients, volunteers and health professionals. Findings have clinical implications regarding tailoring information for patients during and after cancer.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia. lisa.beatty@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beatty
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koczwara
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Knott
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology