Expectations of therapeutic effects of CAM in oncology

Complementary and alternative medicine in paediatrics in daily practice—A European perspective

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is becoming increasingly prevalent among cancer patients, yet there are gaps in communication between patients and healthcare providers . This cross-sectional study examined perceptions of patient and physician toward CAM integration in oncology care among breast cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. A total of 100 breast cancer patients undergoing cisplatin therapy in Gujarat, India, were enrolled with 25 oncology healthcare professionals. Structured questionnaires were used for assessing CAM awareness, usage patterns, communication behaviors, and attitudes toward integration. Results revealed that 76% of patients used at least one CAM modality, with yoga (54%), dietary supplements (48%), and Ayurvedic medicines (42%) being most common. However, only 38% disclosed CAM use to their oncologists. Barriers to disclosure included fear of disapproval (48%), perception that physicians were uninterested (35%), and lack of physician inquiry (52%). Healthcare professionals demonstrated mixed attitudes, with 64% acknowledging potential benefits for symptom management but 72% expressing concerns about herb-drug interactions and lack of evidence. There were significant gaps between patient expectations and physician knowledge regarding CAM therapies. Both groups agreed that better integration frameworks, evidence-based guidelines, and improved communication protocols are essential. The study concludes that bridging the perception gap through enhanced education, structured communication strategies, and integrative care models can optimize cancer care outcomes while respecting patient autonomy and holistic treatment preferences. Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Oncology Care, Patient-Physician Communication, Breast Cancer, Cisplatin Chemotherapy,

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In this study, we explored parents' perspectives toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by their children and its impact on parent-doctor and doctor-CAM-practitioner communication. We designed a 2-arm study of parents who approached either conventional primary care or CAM clinics with their children to consult physicians or practitioners regarding their child's health. A total of 599 parents responded to our questionnaire (319 in 5 conventional clinics [83.9% response rate] and 280 in 21 CAM clinics [71.2% response rate]). Parents in conventional clinics reported less use of CAM by their children within the previous year (35.3% vs 73.7%; P < .0001) but used more traditional and homemade remedies (46.4% vs 12.7%; P < .0001). Both parent groups largely supported informing their child's physician regarding CAM use and expected the physician to initiate a CAM-related conversation and to refer their child to a CAM practitioner. The 2 groups' respondents largely supported communication between the child's physician and the CAM practitioner by the use of a referral/medical letter. Compared with respondents in CAM clinics, parents in conventional clinics were more supportive of CAM integration in a pediatric primary care setting and envisioned a more dominant role of physicians regarding CAM referral and a significant role of physicians in providing CAM. Parents who are referred to conventional and CAM clinics express distinctive attitudes toward CAM integration in pediatric care. Parents perceive physician-CAM practitioner communication as highly important and instrumental in promoting their children's health and safety.

CAM-education in the medical curriculum: Vision of medical students

BackgroundThe globally growing demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has attracted educators' attention to integrate CAM into conventional nursing programs. This systematic review aimed to understand the status quo of nursing students (NSs)' overall rated knowledge of, attitude/belief toward, and practice/previous use or experience (KAP) of CAM in surveys, given these factors may influence NSs' receptivity to CAM curricula, and may be of value in guiding the development of effective teaching strategies.MethodsFormally published cross-sectional quantitative studies investigating the primary outcome of KAP toward CAM by NSs were searched for from eight databases from their inception through to 28 April 2022. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed.ResultsTwenty-six studies were included for analysis, 25 of which were judged to be of moderate to high quality. Despite limited and poorly informed knowledge of CAM therapies, the majority of NSs generally viewed them in a positive light. Furthermore, NSs usually reported an interest in further learning, and supported and welcomed the integration of CAM curricula, at least as elective modules, into existing nursing programs. Lack of evidence was perceived as a major barrier to the use or integration of CAM. Mass media and the internet were the main sources via which NSs access CAM information. Measurement of KAP in all included studies was via self-designed questionnaires/scales or adapted from previously developed questionnaires/scales.ConclusionsThe need for integrating and strengthening CAM curricula into current nursing education is identified. Besides theoretical knowledge and matched clinical placement, skills training in literature searching and evidence-based practice are advised to be included in the curricula design. The experiential learning mode is strongly recommended for delivering specific CAM modalities. In addition, a standard instrumentation for determining NSs' KAP toward CAM should be designed and examined for use in different cultural settings.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=300602, identifier: PROSPERO CRD42022300602.

Are we meeting cancer patient needs? Complementary and alternative medicine use among Saudi cancer patients: A qualitative study of patients and healthcare professionals’ views

BackgroundThe use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients is increasing to manage the complexities of their condition, enhance their health, and ease complications. The burden of T2DM in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coupled with the high prevalence of CAM use and its associated risks among patients with T2DM necessitated the investigation of the use of CAM by this patients’ population. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence, types, and correlates of CAM use among T2DM patients in the UAE.MethodsPatients with T2DM attending the outpatient clinics in the two governmental hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah, UAE were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants to complete a multi-component questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of three main sections: demographic data, diabetes-related information, and CAM use details. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression to assess the prevalence and correlates of CAM use.ResultsTwo hundred forty-four T2DM patients completed the questionnaire (response rate: 80%). A total of 39.3% of participants were CAM users since diagnosis. After adjustment; the logistic regression results showed that CAM use was significantly associated with age, sex, education, employment, and having health insurance. The most commonly used type of CAM by participants were folk foods and herbs followed by spiritual and natural healing and vitamins and minerals supplements. The majority of CAM users were referred or encouraged to use CAM by family (42.7%), friends (25%) or social media (17.7%). Only 13.5% of participants used CAM because it was suggested by health care practitioners. Only 1 in four of CAM users disclosed CAM use to their treating physician.ConclusionCAM use among T2DM patients in the UAE is considerably high. Health policy and decision-makers are encouraged to dedicate particular attention to facilitating proper regulation and integration of CAM within conventional medicine to protect the health and wellbeing of patients. A concerted effort by medical schools and public health authorities should be committed to educating health care providers and patients on the safe and effective use of CAM therapies.

Integration As Community Organizing: Toward A Model for Optimizing Relationships Between Networks of Conventional and Alternative Providers

This study explored counseling students’ attitudes toward beliefs and personal experience with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) integration in counseling practices. A total of 113 clinical mental health counseling students completed a demographic questionnaire, the CAM use, and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric Chi-Square testing, Mann–Whitney U test, and logistic regression analysis to determine the prevalence of CAM use, CAM beliefs, and predictive factors of CAM integration. The results indicated differences in ethnicity, gender, and age for CAM use, CAM beliefs, and predictors of attitudes toward CAM integration. Recommendations for counseling practice and education regarding CAM use and community-based health promotion were discussed.

Experiences and Perceptions Toward Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Among Conventional Medicine Practitioners of Mangalore, India

We introduce the current research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the West, which we refer to as Evidence-based CAM (EBCAM), and discuss its characteristics, problems, and perspectives. Compared with the common attitude of CAM researchers in Japan, that of EBCAM researchers is more objective and often self-critical. EBCAM research is still developing because randomized controlled trials on CAM have many methodological flaws. Caution should be employed in interpreting provisional conclusions of relevant systematic reviews. CAM researchers in Japan should view the case report method from a perspective other than efficacy. Also, they will have to prepare evidence in response to demands from CAM consumers. Priority of research subjects from various kinds of CAM should be decided according to their popularity. Therefore, a large-scale survey on CAM use in Japan is essential.

Negotiating competency, professionalism and risk: The integration of complementary and alternative medicine by nurses and midwives in NHS hospitals

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among Italian children: A cross-sectional survey

Little is known about how complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is discussed in cancer care across varied settings in the U.S. In two practices affiliated with one academic medical center in southern California (SoCal), and one in the upper Midwest (UM), we audio-recorded patient-clinician interactions in medical oncology outpatient practices. We counted the frequency and duration of CAM-related conversations. We coded recordings using the Roter Interaction Analysis System. We used chi-square tests for bivariate analysis of categorical variables and generalized linear models for continuous variables to examine associations between dialogue characteristics, practice setting, and population characteristics with the occurrence of CAM discussion in each setting followed by multivariate models adjusting for clinician clustering. Sixty-one clinicians and 529 patients participated. Sixty-two of 529 (12%) interactions included CAM discussions, with significantly more observed in the SoCal university practice than in the other settings. Visits that included CAM were on average 6 minutes longer, with CAM content lasting an average of 78 seconds. In bivariate tests of association, conversations containing CAM included more psychosocial statements from both clinicians and patients, higher patient-centeredness, more positive patient and clinician affect, and greater patient engagement. In a multivariable model including significant bivariate terms, conversations containing CAM were independently associated with higher patient-centeredness, slightly longer visits, and being at the SoCal university site. The frequency of CAM-related discussion in oncology varied substantially across sites. Visits that included CAM discussion were longer and more patient centered. The Institute of Medicine and the American Society of Clinical Oncology have called for more open discussions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). But little is known about the role population characteristics and care contexts may play in the frequency and nature of those discussions. The present data characterizing actual conversations in practice complements a much larger literature based on patient and clinician self-report about CAM disclosure and use. It was found that CAM discussions in academic oncology visits varied significantly by practice context, that the majority were initiated by the patient, and that they may occur more when visit time exists for lifestyle, self-care, and psychosocial concerns.