Integrating complementary medicine in supportive cancer care models across four continents.

2013 Jan 1
01/01/2013
By Ben-Arye E, Schiff E, Zollman C, Heusser P, Mountford P, Frenkel M, Bar-Sela G, Lavie O.

The need to integrate complementary medicine (CM) consultation in supportive care of patients with cancer is acknowledged by oncologists owing to the ongoing research on CM efficacy and awareness of its potential risks. In this article, we aim to provide oncologists with models for CM integration within supportive care. Descriptive analysis of key elements which facilitate CM integration is presented by physicians leading six integrative cancer care programs across four continents. Perspectives of integration are supplemented by a literature review, quantitative data on the clinical activity in each center, and qualitative narrative-based citations of seven oncology patients and healthcare providers. It is recommended that CM consultation be provided by physicians with extensive CM training. The following key elements were identified as essential for integrative program design within oncological supportive care: (1) Location of the integrative physician (IP) room within the oncology department area, (2) Required oncologist referral to CM consultation, (3) Allocated time to IP-oncologist communication, (4) Research-based integrative practice, (5) Inclusion of paid professional CM practitioners, (6) Institutional cost covered service. Integration of CM consultation within oncological supportive care needs to take in account six key elements that ensure high-quality evidence-based concomitant integrative practice.

More publications on the subject

The cultural context of patient’s autonomy and doctor’s duty: passive euthanasia and advance directives in Germany and Israel
01/11/2010
Abstract The moral discourse surrounding end-of-life (EoL) decisions is highly complex, and a comparison of Germany and Israel can highlight the impact of cultural
Selected issues in palliative care among East Jerusalem Arab residents
01/01/2010
Abstract Understanding of cultural context is important when working with Palestinian patients, particularly in Israeli hospitals. Cultural competence includes individual assessment of communication needs
End-of-life needs as perceived by terminally ill older adult patients, family and staff
01/09/2010
Abstract Purpose of the study: A comparison of inpatient end-of-life needs as perceived by terminally ill older adult patients, family, physicians and nurses, is lacking.
The cultural context of end-of-life ethics: a comparison of Germany and Israel
01/07/2010
No abstract available
Family caregiving to hospitalized end-of-life and acutely ill geriatric patients
01/08/2010
Abstract The article examines family caregiving to hospitalized older adults at the end of life (EOL). The stress stress process model was used to
Blaming the messenger and not the message
01/06/2010
No abstract available