Gynecologists’ attitudes toward and use of complementary and integrative medicine approaches: results of a national survey in Germany

Abstract

Purpose Despite patients’ widespread use and acceptance of complementary and integrative medicine (IM), few data are available regarding health-care professionals’ current implementation of it in clinical routine. A national survey was conducted to assess gynecologists’ attitudes to and implementation of complementary and integrative treatment approaches. Methods The Working Group on Integrative Medicine of the German Society of Gynecological Oncology conducted an online survey in collaboration with the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) in July 2019. A 29-item survey was sent to all DGGG members by email. Results Questionnaires from 180 gynecologists were analyzed, of whom 61 were working office-based in private practice and 95 were employed in hospitals. Seventy percent stated that IM concepts are implemented in their routine clinical work. Most physicians reported using IM methods in gynecological oncology. The main indications for IM therapies were fatigue (n = 98), nausea and vomiting (n = 89), climacteric symptoms (n = 87), and sleep disturbances (n = 86). The most commonly recommended methods were exercise therapy (n = 86), mistletoe therapy (n = 78), and phytotherapy (n = 74). Gynecologists offering IM were more often female (P = 0.001), more often had qualifications in anthroposophic medicine (P = 0.005) or naturopathy (P = 0.019), and were more often based in large cities (P = 0.016). Conclusions There is strong interest in IM among gynecologists. The availability of evidence-based training in IM is increasing. Integrative therapy approaches are being implemented in clinical routine more and more, and integrative counseling services are present all over Germany. Efforts should focus on extending evidence-based knowledge of IM in both gynecology and gynecological oncology.

Acupuncture during gynecological oncology surgery: A randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of integrative therapies on perioperative pain and anxiety

“…9,10 Although the research on the impact of complementary medicine in the perioperative gynecological oncology setting is limited, a large number of studies have examined these modalities in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and palliative care setting, with the support of patients and their gynecologists. 11,12 The design of integrative gynecologic oncology models of care is based on randomized controlled trials that support the use of therapies such as acupuncture for the prevention of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 13 ; and pragmatic research supports the effectiveness and safety of a patient-tailored IO approach in alleviating pain, gastrointestinal concerns, fatigue, and anxiety. [14][15][16] Adherence to weekly IO treatments has been shown to reduce the need for analgesics among patients with gynecological cancer and to increase adherence to the planned chemotherapy protocol.…”

Vom Potenzial der Integrativen Medizin

“…2019 wurde unter 180 Gynäkologen eine Umfrage durchgeführt, und es zeigte sich, dass die Hälfte der Ärztinnen und Ärzte komplementäre Verfahren nutzten: Am häufigsten wurde Bewegungstherapie angeordnet, und knapp die Hälfte nutzte Misteltherapie oder andere Phytotherapeutika [7].…”

Informationsbedarf Komplementärmedizin in der Onkologie

“…empfehlen (z. B. n = 78 Mistel-, n = 74 Phytotherapie oder n = 86 Bewegung) [10]. Diese zunehmende Offenheit gegenüber komplementärmedizinischen Themen wird sicher auch einem anderen Verhalten entgegenwirken, das zunächst harmlos erscheint, aber für den einzelnen Patienten durchaus negative Folgen haben und die onkologische Therapie gefährden oder schlimmstenfalls zunichtemachen kann: Verschiedene Umfragen zeigten, dass über 40 % der Patienten (z.T.…”