Pediatric oncologists' perspectives on the use of complementary medicine in pediatric cancer patients in Switzerland: A national survey‐based cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background: There is a widespread use of complementary therapies among pediatric cancer patients. Previous studies provided evidence that communication between pediatric oncologists (POs) and patients/families about the use of these therapies is often incomplete. Furthermore, nationwide studies on this topic are rare. Aims:We assessed POs' perspectives on the use of complementary medicine (CM) in Switzerland, on the basis of an edited survey previously used in a nationwide study. Methods and Results:A link to an online survey was sent by e-mail to each of the fifty-two eligible pediatric oncologists in all nine Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) centers. Eligible respondents were board-certified (Switzerland or abroad)POs currently working at a SPOG center. The survey was available for a total period of 2 months.

Integrative Medicine Across the Pediatric Cancer Care Trajectory: A Narrative Review

“…At the same time, these HCPs frequently do not provide a structured referral to a IO consultation or to CAM providers outside the hospital setting [ 37 ]. This has been attributed to the lack of knowledge among HCPs on the potentially beneficial effects of IO in patient care [ 38 , 39 ]. The lack of knowledge on this subject may be the result of the limited exposure CAM receives in the medical education curriculum, if at all, and the lack of defined graduate competencies [ 40 , 41 ].…”