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Research: BEN-ARYE and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 136
Abstract
BEN-ARYE and co-authors, The Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel, have asked whether psychosocial and spiritual concerns are relevant to cancer treatment.
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine is increasingly being used by patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes of cancer patients who use CAM to those of non-users, on issues of CAM, bio-psychosocial considerations, and spiritual needs.
Background
Methodology
Questionnaires were administered to patients and medical care providers in a tertiary teaching hospital with a comprehensive cancer service.
Results
49% of the study patients reported integrating CAM into their conventional care. Health care providers considered psychological and spiritual needs as major reasons for CAM use, while patients considered the familial-social aspect to be more important.
Conclusion
Health care providers involved in oncology cancer care should emphasize spiritual as well as CAM themes. The integration of these themes into a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach may enrich the dialogue between patients and health providers.
References
Ben-Arye E, Bar-Sela G, Frenkel M, Kuten A, Hermoni D. Is a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach relevant to cancer treatment? A study of patients and oncology staff members on issues of complementary medicine and spirituality. Supportive Care in Cancer 14 (2): 147-152, Feb 2006.
