Counseling on Complementary Methods in the Treatment of Side Effects of Oncological Therapies: A Project of the Breast and Bowel Center Nahe at the Hospital Sankt Marienwoerth Bad Kreuznach

Abstract

Background: Increasingly, patients with cancer are asking for additional, complementary therapy options for treating the side effects of oncological therapy. Thus, the members of the Breast and Bowel Center Nahe at the Sankt Marienwörth Hospital Bad Kreuznach decided to define the content of this type of counseling for patients before treatment. Methods: In 2018, a team of internal oncologists, gynecological oncologists, radio-oncologists, nutritionists, psycho-oncologists, and study nurses met several times to define the content of counseling. To inform the team, an intensive literature review was conducted. Results: Counseling content was determined for complementary treatment options for the most frequent side effects of oncological therapies. Counseling sessions were formulated as frontal lectures (slide presentations), given at regular intervals for patients and relatives. These lectures were highly appreciated by patients. Conclusion: These counseling sessions increased patient understanding of both useful complementary measures and harmful measures they should not use.

Cuidado ao Paciente Oncológico na Perspectiva da Oncologia Integrativa

“…O acesso às informações configura-se como aspecto importante para o paciente oncológico ao contribuir para o exercício da autonomia 4 . Tendo como base o empoderamento desses pacientes sobre medidas integrativas e complementares ao tratamento oncológico convencional, surgem as potencialidades das sessões de aconselhamento ofertadas em intervalos regulares para pacientes e familiares 24 . Destarte, os profissionais de saúde devem construir canais de diálogo permeados por escuta Santos WMS, Santos JS, Machado GAB, Maia MAC, Andrade RD sensível e atenta, o que pode apoiar a elaboração conjunta de estratégias de enfrentamento diante de situações de vulnerabilidade e dificuldade 2 .…”