Oncology nurses' attitudes towards alternative medicine

Salmenperä, L.; Suominen, Tarja; Lauri, Sirkka

doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1611(199811/12)7:6<453::aid-pon342>3.0.co;2-z

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…desperate individuals who understandably want to leave no stone unturned’ (p. 307). Similarly, Salmenpera et al . (1998) highlight the abundant evidence suggesting that cancer patients proclivity for CAM treatments does not always stem from a hope that they will produce miracle cures, but is more often seen simply as a practical means of counteracting the unpleasant side effects of conventional drug therapies.…”

Section: Cam and Cancermentioning

confidence: 69%

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), cancer and group-based action: a critical review of the literature

Chatwin

Tovey

2004

Eur J Cancer Care

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Interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) continues to grow at an exponential rate despite the advances made by conventional medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine use is increasingly manifest across a wide range of health care settings, and is particularly prevalent in cancer and palliative care. In these arenas, patient groups and self-help organizations play a significant supportive role. There is evidence that they are a key informative and pragmatic resource in the provision of CAM services to patients. However, there is a significant paucity of research dealing with the functional aspects of these groups and the way in which they advocate, promote and supply CAM. In this paper we provide a critical review of the literature pertaining to themes around CAM provision and cancer care, and suggest that for a more complete picture of the field, the impact of group mediation of CAM needs to be addressed, and attention focused on the social and interactional dynamics that underpin these groups and organizations.

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Section: Cam and Cancermentioning

confidence: 69%

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), cancer and group-based action: a critical review of the literature

Chatwin

Tovey

2004

Eur J Cancer Care

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“…The questionnaire was designed on the basis of earlier international research: an instrument used by Salmenperä et al . (1998) in an attitude survey among oncology nurses, and an instrument used in surveys among breast and prostate cancer patients (Salmenperä et al .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physicians’ attitudes towards the use of complementary therapies (CTs) by cancer patients in Finland

Salmenperä

Suominen

Vertio³

2003

European Journal of Cancer Care

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This study describes physicians' attitudes towards the use of complementary therapies (CTs) by cancer patients in Finland. Responses to 33 Likert-type statements were received from 234 physicians; the response rate was 50.6%. The questionnaire items were analysed separately and using five sum variables. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, chi-square and t-tests and analysis of variance. Attitudes among physicians and oncologists in particular were quite critical. Over four-fifths of the physicians (86%) were doubtful whether CTs should be used at all, given the scarcity of solid research evidence on their benefits. Three quarters (75%) referred to unknown risk factors, half (51%) were of the opinion that CTs should not be used in cancer care at all. On the other hand 58% believed that CTs could help to relieve stress and anxiety among cancer patients, and 79% wanted to see scientific testing to establish the effects of CTs. The most positive attitude towards CTs was shown by general practitioners and non-specialized physicians. Positive attitudes were associated with personal CT use, with recommending CTs to patients and with a high level of interest to participate in CT training. The physicians did not believe the specific CTs singled out for investigation would help patients to recover from cancer. They thought that the use of CTs by cancer patients was motivated by future hope, a determination to do everything possible to cure the cancer and the perception of CTs as a last resort. The result that professional attitudes towards CTs are quite critical in Finland presents a very special challenge to the relationship between physicians and patients: it is crucial that physicians know enough about CTs so that they can discuss the issue with patients and provide relevant advice and guidance on their use.

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“…A self‐administered questionnaire was designed specifically for this study on the basis of an instrument used by Salmenperä et al (1998) in an attitude survey among nurses and an instrument that was used in an attitude survey among breast and prostate cancer patients (Salmenperä et al 2001). The choice of a self‐administered questionnaire was motivated by the absence of any existing international tool and by our concern with a subject that is virtually uncharted territory in Finland.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of complementary therapies among breast and prostate cancer patients in Finland

Salmenperä

2002

European Journal of Cancer Care

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This study describes the use of complementary therapies (CTs) among breast (women) and prostate cancer patients (men) in Finland. The data were collected using a self-administered postal questionnaire. Responses were received from 216 women (response rate 54.9%) and 190 men (response rate 55.4%). Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and Fisher and Wilcoxon tests. Interpretation of the responses to the open-ended questions used the method of content analysis. Half the respondents (women 53%, men 50%) were interested in CTs. Women (59%) had seriously considered using CTs significantly (P = 0.006) more often than men (44%). Among the women and men who had considered the option, CT use was not started because there was not enough scientific evidence (women 56%, men 77%) or because conventional treatments had worked well enough (women 45%, men 70%). Almost one-third of all women (30%) and men (28%) either continued to use or started using CTs after they had fallen ill with cancer. They resorted to CTs in order to restore their hope in the future (women 36%, men 36%) and to do as much as they could for themselves (women 46%, men 29%). The results indicate that cancer patients are interested in CTs and use them quite frequently. This presents a major challenge to official health care: how should cancer patients be supported in the care relationship to make an informed decision about using CTs; what kind of advice should they be given; and how can patients' individual requirements be adequately met in nursing care?

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Oncology nurses' attitudes towards alternative medicine

Cited by 20 publications

References 6 publications

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), cancer and group-based action: a critical review of the literature

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), cancer and group-based action: a critical review of the literature

Physicians’ attitudes towards the use of complementary therapies (CTs) by cancer patients in Finland

The use of complementary therapies among breast and prostate cancer patients in Finland

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