Is a biopsychosocial–spiritual approach relevant to cancer treatment? A study of patients and oncology staff members on issues of complementary medicine and spirituality

Abstract

Cancer patients do not correlate CAM use with spiritual concerns but expect their physicians to attend to spiritual themes. Health care providers involved in oncology cancer care should emphasize spiritual as well as CAM themes. The integration of these themes into a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach may enrich the dialogue between patients and health providers.

Integrative oncology research in the Middle East: weaving traditional and complementary medicine in supportive care

“…The use of herbs for treating cancer is documented in various historical documents that include well-known Arab and Jewish physicians such as Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD) and Maimonides (1135-1204 AD). The contemporary prevalence of CAM use among patients with cancer has been studied in Jordan [2], Israel [5], and Turkey [6] and may reach as many as half of the patients. There is limited data on the ramifications of CAM and traditional medicine use on supportive and palliative care in the Middle East.…”

Filling the communication “niche”: Viewing CAM as integrative versus alternative

“…concerning CAM in primary care [1], oncology [3] and dermatology settings [4]. In these studies, the authors suggest the pivotal role of physicians in informed referral to CAM and, to a lesser degree, in providing CAM in an ''integrative'' rather than ''alternative'' context.…”

Psychosocial status of Hungarian cancer patients. A descriptive study

“…Ebben a megközelítésben az egészség bioló-giai, pszichológiai és szociális, sőt újabban spirituális elemekkel is kiegészített tényezői folyamatos kölcsönhatá-suk mentén értelmeződnek [3,4]. A rákbetegség háttere multikauzális, diagnózisa traumatikus erejű, és még mindig stigma kapcsolódik hozzá [5].…”