title: Exploring the influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine on self-care among Chinese cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the influence of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on self-care among Chinese cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an exploratory qualitative study. A purposive sample of thirty cancer patients who were currently undergoing either chemotherapy or radiotherapy was interviewed. Qualitative content analysis was conducted for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two core categories were emerged from their accounts of experiences with practising TCM-supported self-care activities: perceived beneficial effects and concerns about undesirable effects. The perceived beneficial effects of these self-care activities were mainly stemmed from the traditional beliefs in TCM, which included: strengthening the "origin", removing toxins, and mind-soothing. Concerns about undesirable effects of these self-care activities were raised due to lack of knowledge and unpleasant experience with these self-care activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings revealed that the philosophy of TCM had been deeply integrated by Chinese cancer patients into their self-care. While Western medicine is the mainstream cancer treatment, Chinese cancer patients also practised various TCM-supported self-care activities. However, they were perplexed about the effects of these self-care activities. They could not ascertain whether the perceived benefits were just due to their own belief in the TCM philosophy, and their lack of knowledge in this aspect and unpleasant experience further confused them. Nurses have to be proactive in identifying the unique health-deviation self-care requisites of their clients in a culturally sensitive manner, explore how their self-care experience affects their wellbeing and treatment compliance, and be prepared to clarify misconceptions about their conditions and progress.
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: helencyl@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors: Helen Y L
authors: HY
authors: Chan
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Y Y
authors: YY
authors: Chui
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Carmen W H
authors: CW
authors: Chan
authors: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Karis K F
authors: KK
authors: Cheng
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Ann T Y
authors: AT
authors: Shiu
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Winnie K W
authors: WK
authors: So
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Simone S M
authors: SS
authors: Ho
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Maggie M F
authors: MM
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Chinese; Qualitative studies; Self care; Traditional Chinese Medicine