6533b863fe1ef96bd12c7967

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The use of complementary alternative medicines in advanced cancer patients followed at home

Alessandro De LisiAlessandra CasuccioBruno OrlandoAlessio Lo CascioTommaso FavaraCarla ScibiliaMario Lo MauroGrazia Di SilvestreLucia AdamoliMarco MauceriMarina GueciGiuseppe PirajnoGiuseppe BellaviaSebastiano MercadanteMarcella Dabbene

subject

Complementary Therapiesmedicine.medical_specialtyPalliative carePain medicineHome careCONSECUTIVE SAMPLEHealth servicesComplementary alternative medicineSurveys and QuestionnairesAdvanced cancerNeoplasmsmedicineHumansSurveys and Questionnairebusiness.industryNursing researchReligious beliefAdvanced cancerHome Care ServicesOncologyComplementary TherapieFamily medicinePalliative careOriginal ArticlebusinessHuman

description

Objectives: To assess the use of complementary alternative medicines (CAM) in advanced cancer patients followed at home. Methods: A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to a home palliative care program was invited to participate in the study in a period of two months. Demographic characteristics, religious belief, education level, diagnosis, and socio-economic condition were recorded. Patients were asked about the use of CAM, considered to be a health-related treatment practiced outside the established health services. Information about CAM indications and those who prescribed or suggested CAM were also collected. Results: Two hundred and eighty-three advanced cancer patients followed at home were surveyed. Twelve patients (4.2%) were receiving CAM. The indication and type of CAM were variable, as well as the costs. Given the low number of patients taking CAM, no further analysis was performed. Conclusion: A limited number of advanced cancer patients followed at home were using CAM. Further multicenter studies with a larger sample should be performed to provide information about such therapies, also including eventual benefits.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2021-10-12
10.1007/s00520-021-06580-4http://hdl.handle.net/10447/535261