National survey of China's oncologists' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice patterns on complementary and alternative medicine

Yang, Geliang; Lee, Richard T.; Zhang, Huiqing; Gu, Wanyi; Yang, Peiying; Ling, Changquan

doi:10.18632/oncotarget.14560

Cited by 18 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…This 60% of oncologists constitutes a significant improvement on the 48% described by Crocetti et al (47) in 1996 and reflects a much greater awareness and knowledge of CAM, a greater attention to the problem and an increased use of CAM in Italy. Participant age (40-65 years) and years of practice (>10 years) were found to be significantly associated with CAM knowledge (respectively, p < 0.001 and p < 0.002); a similar finding has been reported in a recent national survey of China's oncologists (60). As expected, the physicians with a more limited knowledge of CAM were less likely to discuss it with patients, as also noted by other researchers (61).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Our survey found that half of physicians discuss the role of CAM with their patients: these physicians are those who are involved in research work, have more than 10 years of specialization and belong to G1 group. The need for improving physicians' CAM knowledge and communication with patients has also been highlighted in recent studies by the Working Group Prevention and Integrative Oncology of the German Cancer Society (54), the German society for Palliative Medicine (67), other German institutions (68,69) and the national survey of China's oncologists (60). The German studies also indicate that some CAM practices (psycho-oncology, sport, micronutrient supplements) are more popular in Germany than in Italy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Physician Attitudes and Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): A Multicentre Italian Study

et al. 2020

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Purpose: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) interventions are widely used by patients with chronic disorders, including cancer, and may interact with cancer treatment. Physicians are often unaware of this, probably due to poor patient-physician communication on CAM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns regarding CAM in a survey conducted in Italy.Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 438 physicians (11 Italian hospitals) who predominantly treat patients with chronic disease, to collect personal and professional data and information on attitudes toward CAM and its possible role in Conventional Medicine (CM).Results: Of the 438 participants, most were specialists in oncology (18%), internal medicine (17%), surgery (15%), and radiotherapy (11%). Most worked at university (44%) or research hospitals (31%). Forty-two percent of participants believed that CAM could have an integrative role within CM. Oncologists were the physicians who were best informed on CAM (58%). Physicians working at research institutes or university hospitals had a greater knowledge of CAM Berretta et al.Physician Attitudes and Perceptions of CAM than those employed at general hospitals (p < 0.0001), and those who were also involved in research activity had a greater knowledge of CAM than those who were not (p < 0.003). Length of work experience was significantly related to CAM knowledge. Moreover, 55% of participants suggest CAM interventions to their patients and 44% discuss CAM with them. The best-known interventions were acupuncture, Aloe vera and high-dose vitamin C. Conclusion:CAM use by patients with chronic disease and/or cancer has become a topical issue for the scientific community and for physicians. Knowing the reasons that prompt these patients to use CAM and guiding them in their decisions would improve treatment and outcomes and also benefit healthcare systems. Our findings contribute to a greater understanding of CAM knowledge, attitudes, and practice among Italian physicians. Further research is needed to identify the more effective CAM treatments and to work toward an integrated healthcare model.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Physician Attitudes and Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): A Multicentre Italian Study

et al. 2020

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“…A recent national survey of oncologists in China reported that 75.6% of them did not want to initiate discussions about CAM use. 46 A previous study in Taiwan showed that policy makers resist recommendation of TCM, because they were educated as Western medical practitioners or under the modern Western medicine paradigm. 47 However, an increasing number of medical centers in Taiwan employ an integrative approach to cancer treatment, in outpatient 48 and inpatient 49 settings, in an effort to better meet the needs of cancer patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Complementary Traditional Chinese Medicines by Adult Cancer Patients in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

et al. 2017

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Background. Many patients with cancer seek complementary and alternative medicine treatments. We investigated the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by adult cancer patients in Taiwan. Methods. We reviewed the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients Database of Taiwan, and included all adult patients diagnosed cancer, based on the International Classification of Diseases (ninth revision), from 2001 to 2009 and followed until 2011. This database allowed categorization of patients as TCM users (n = 74 620) or non-TCM users (n = 508 179). All demographic and clinical claims data were analyzed. Results. Compared with non-TCM users, TCM users were younger and more likely to be female, white-collar workers, and reside in highly urbanized areas. The average interval between cancer diagnosis and TCM consultation was 15.3 months. The most common cancer type was breast cancer in TCM users (19.4%), and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in non-TCM users (13.6%). The major condition for which TCM users visited clinics were endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, and immunity disorders (23.2%). A total of 33.1% of TCM users visited TCM clinics more than 9 times per year and their time from diagnosis to first TCM consultation was 5.14 months. The most common TCM treatment was Chinese herbal medicine. The common diseases for which cancer patients sought TCM treatment were insomnia, malaise and fatigue, dizziness and headache, gastrointestinal disorders, myalgia and fasciitis, anxiety, and depression. Overall, TCM users had a lower adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for mortality (aHR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.68-0.70) after adjustment for age, sex, urbanization of residence, occupation, annual medical center visits, and annual non–medical center visits. Conclusions. This study provides an overview of TCM usage among adult cancer patients in Taiwan. TCM use varied among patients with different types of cancer. Physicians caring for cancer patients should pay more attention to their patients’ use of complementary TCM.

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“…For varied reasons, some patients do not inform caregivers or health care professionals that they use CAMs [ 37 , 38 ]; however, certain CAMs could have potential interactions with conventional cancer treatments [ 39 , 40 ]. In parallel, oncologists lack adequate information about the safety and efficacy of CAMs to confidently inform their patients [ 41 - 43 ] and they have requested more rigorous evaluation [ 42 , 43 ]. Moreover, the World Health Organization’s Traditional Medicine Strategy emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation; the objectives of this strategic approach are to inform policy; determine safety, efficacy, and quality; increase access; and promote the rational use of traditional medicine [ 44 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Digestive System or Lung Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Murat-Ringot¹,

Souquet²,

Chauvenet³

et al. 2020

JMIR Res Protoc

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Background The side effects of chemotherapy, specifically chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, are a concern for patients. To relieve these side effects, antiemetic drugs are recommended. However, some patients report that these drugs are not sufficiently effective. Moreover, patients with chronic disease, including cancer, are increasingly interested in complementary and alternative medicines, and express the desire for nonpharmacological treatments to be used in hospitals. Foot reflexology is a holistic approach that is reported to significantly reduce the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with breast cancer. Some of the chemotherapy treatments for patients with lung and digestive system cancer are moderately or highly emetic. Objective The primary objective of this study is to assess the benefits of foot reflexology, together with conventional treatments, on the severity and frequency of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with lung or digestive system cancer. The secondary objectives to be assessed are quality of life, anxiety, and self-esteem. Methods This study is an open-label randomized controlled trial conducted over 22 months (18 months intervention and 4 months follow-up). Eligible participants are patients with a lung or digestive system cancer with an indication for platinum-based chemotherapy. Participants are randomized into two groups: conventional care with foot reflexology and conventional care without foot reflexology. Foot reflexology sessions (30 minutes) are performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis. It was estimated that 40 participants per group will be required. The benefits of foot reflexology will be assessed by comparing the relative change in the severity of nausea and vomiting, as assessed by a visual analogue scale, and the frequency of these side effects between the two groups. The secondary objectives will be assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire; Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale; and Body Image Questionnaire. Results This study was approved by the regional ethics committee (Île de France X CPP) on April 3, 2018 (No. ID RCB 2018-A00571-54). Enrollment started in June 2018. Data analysis will be performed during the second quarter of 2020 and results will be published in the last quarter of 2020. Conclusions The lack of knowledge regarding the efficacy and safety of foot reflexology limits oncologists to recommend it for this use. This study will provide evidence of the benefits of foot reflexology. If efficacy is confirmed, foot reflexology may be a promising complement to conventional antiemetic drugs. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03508180; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03508180. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/17232

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National survey of China's oncologists' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice patterns on complementary and alternative medicine

Cited by 18 publications

References 29 publications

Physician Attitudes and Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): A Multicentre Italian Study

Physician Attitudes and Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): A Multicentre Italian Study

Use of Complementary Traditional Chinese Medicines by Adult Cancer Patients in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

The Effects of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Digestive System or Lung Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

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