title: A systematic review of integrative oncology programs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review set out to summarize the research literature describing integrative oncology programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were conducted of 9 electronic databases, relevant journals (hand searched), and conference abstracts, and experts were contacted. Two investigators independently screened titles and abstracts for reports describing examples of programs that combine complementary and conventional cancer care. English-, French-, and German-language articles were included, with no date restriction. From the articles located, descriptive data were extracted according to 6 concepts: description of article, description of clinic, components of care, administrative structure, process of care, and measurable outcomes used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 29 programs included, most were situated in the United States (n = 12, 41%) and England (n = 10, 34%). More than half (n = 16, 55%) operate within a hospital, and 7 (24%) are community-based. Clients come through patient self-referral (n = 15, 52%) and by referral from conventional health care providers (n = 9, 31%) and from cancer agencies (n = 7, 24%). In 12 programs (41%), conventional care is provided onsite; 7 programs (24%) collaborate with conventional centres to provide integrative care. Programs are supported financially through donations (n = 10, 34%), cancer agencies or hospitals (n = 7, 24%), private foundations (n = 6, 21%), and public funds (n = 3, 10%). Nearly two thirds of the programs maintain a research (n = 18, 62%) or evaluation (n = 15, 52%) program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The research literature documents a growing number of integrative oncology programs. These programs share a common vision to provide whole-person, patient-centred care, but each program is unique in terms of its structure and operational model.
authors.affiliation: Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON. ;  Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, ON. ;  Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Seely
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
keywords: Complementary medicine; cancer; health systems; integrative medicine; integrative oncology; oncology; systematic review