Integrative oncology and complementary medicine cancer services in Australia: findings from a national cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundIndividuals living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis are increasingly using complementary therapies and medicines (CM) to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment, manage treatment-related side effects, improve quality-of-life, and promote self-efficacy. In response to the increasing use and demand for CM by cancer patients, interest in the implementation of Integrative Oncology (IO) services that provide CM alongside conventional cancer care in Australia and abroad has developed. The extent that cancer services in Australia are integrating CM is uncertain. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify IO services in Australia and explore barriers and facilitators to IO service provision.MethodsA national, cross-sectional survey of healthcare organisations was conducted in 2016. Organisations in the public and private sectors, including not-for-profit organisations that provided cancer care in hospital or community setting, were included.ResultsA response rate of 93.2% was achieved (n = 275/295). Seventy-one organisations (25.8%) across all states/territories, except the Northern Territory, offered IO albeit in a limited amount by many. Most common IO services included massage, psychological-wellbeing, and movement modalities in hospital outpatient or inpatient settings. There were only a few instances where biological-based complementary medicine (CM) therapies were prescribed. Funding was often mixed, including patient contributions, philanthropy, funding by the organisation, and volunteer practitioners.Of the 204 non-IO providers, 80.9% had never provided any IO service. Overwhelmingly, the most common barrier to IO was a lack of funding, followed by uncertainty about patient demand, choice of services, and establishing such services. Less-common barriers were a lack of evidence, and support from oncologists or management. More funding, education and training, and building the evidence-base for CM were the most commonly suggested solutions.ConclusionIO is increasingly being provided in Australia, although service provision remains limited or non-existent in many areas. Mismatches appear to exist between low IO service provision, CM evidence, and high CM use by cancer patients. Greater strategic planning and policy guidance is indicated to ensure the appropriate provision of, and equitable access to IO services for all Australian cancer survivors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2357-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Patients with Chronic Tinnitus

“…Our In our study the most common sources of CAM information were recommendation from media and social circles such as friends and families similar to the literature [6,7]. Older female patients with higher levels of education and higher income levels were more likely to be CAM users in some studies [9,10]. However, some studies have not confirmed this higher prevalence in women or in patients with higher education similarly our results.…”

“…Numerous studies have found that upto 90 percent of patients with cancer use a CAM for at least some of their treatment within a year. However, patients may not explain the use of CAM unless specifically requested [6,9]. In our study none of the patients using CAM did not inform the healthcare professionals about the used CAM.…”

“…There is growing interest in use of CAM among the general population. Rates of CAM use vary widely in the literature from 6% to 84%, and broadly show that patients with a chronic condition are more likely to use CAM than the general population [6][7][8][9]. Although tinnitus is a chronic disease but CAM usage among tinnitus patients is not well defined in the literature.…”

Pancreatic Cancer (PDAC): Introduction of Evidence-Based Complementary Measures into Integrative Clinical Management

“…Overall, this topic is gaining in prominence and similar reviews have previously dealt with colorectal cancer [ 26 ] and prostate cancer [ 27 ], some in relation to associated pathologies such as pain [ 28 ]. Other articles have dealt with the use of complementary agents/integrated management of cancer in specific countries, e.g., Australia [ 29 , 30 ], Germany [ 31 ] and several Middle Eastern countries, including Israel [ 23 , 32 ].…”

Informing the model of care for an academic integrative healthcare centre: a qualitative study exploring healthcare consumer perspectives

“…This includes TCIM services that can be accessed through interdisciplinary clinics [19][20][21]. There is also growing interest in integrating non-biologically active TCIM services, such as massage/touch therapies, mind-body interventions and acupuncture, into secondary IHC settings [22][23][24]. However, unlike North America and Europe, there are no university-based academic IHC centres in Australia [25,26].…”