Performance care practices in complementary and alternative medicine by Thai breast cancer survivors: An ethnonursing study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how Thai breast cancer survivors perform care practices in complementary and alternative medicine to promote their health and well-being. Research was conducted using an ethnonursing method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 Thai breast cancer survivors in Thailand. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using the ethnonursing analysis method. The findings showed Thai breast cancer survivors started their care practices in complementary and alternative medicine immediately following a diagnosis of breast cancer. They sought out and gathered alternative medicine information from several sources, such as the people around them, media resources, books, magazines, or newspapers. After gathering information, Thai breast cancer survivors would try out various types of complementary medicines rather than use only one type because of information from other people and their own evaluation. The findings of this study indicate the need for a conversation about complementary medicine use between healthcare providers and Thai breast cancer survivors as an on-going process throughout the cancer trajectory to ensure that safe and holistic care is provided.

Manipulation Therapy Prior to Diagnosis Induced Primary Osteosarcoma Metastasis—From Clinical to Basic Research

“…There is also increasing trend that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) became popular worldwide[23], [24]. Recently, the alternative therapies on cancer care became more popular and acceptable in the world[25], [26] including complementary medicine or supportive therapy such as MT or massage[27]. However, many adverse effects concerning the possibility to promote metastasis have been reported[6], [9], [28].…”

Best-Practice Guidelines in Assessment, Risk Reduction, Management, and Surveillance for Post-Breast Cancer Lymphedema

“…Breast cancer patients use CAM more often than patients with other types of cancer due to treatment side effects and problems continuing after treatment [68]. Wanchai et al [68] found that among Thai survivors, CAM information is obtained through peers and only one-third of Thai breast cancer survivors report sharing information about CAM usage with their physicians due to their fear of a negative response.…”

Leininger’s Ethnonursing Research Methodology and Studies of Cancer Survivors

“…The similarities in both studies included use of CAM by all informants, stage of survivorship (range of extended to long-term survivors), an emic view of CAM as a holistic approach, and some of the factors influencing CAM use (importance of family and friends); and getting information about CAM (Wanchai et al, 2010(Wanchai et al, , 2012. Other researchers using a variety of quantitative methods have had similar findings in U.S. and Malay breast cancer survivors in terms of CAM use, multiple factors for using CAM, sources of information, and reluctance by some to discuss their use with physicians (Carpenter et al, 2009;Matthews et al, 2007;Shaharudin, Sulaiman, Emran, Shahril, & Hussain, 2011).…”

“…Only one study (Wanchai et al, 2010) included two interview sessions (60-to 90-minute range). The remaining two studies indicated data collection procedures included one interview (30-to 60-minute range) per informant (Wanchai et al, 2011(Wanchai et al, , 2012. The one-time, shorter interview suggests limited engagement with informants.…”

“…All three studies (Wanchai et al, 2010(Wanchai et al, , 2011(Wanchai et al, , 2012 provide adequate information to assess the quality of the study reports based on Leininger's (2006b) ENRM (see Tables 2 and 3). The domain of inquiry in all three studies (see Tables 2 and 3) are consistent with the focus on systematic documentation of experiences and perceptions of people in their daily lives and propose to provide an enhanced understanding of perceptions and experiences of breast cancer survivors.…”