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Giving voice to cancer patients: assessing non‐specific effects of an integrative oncology therapeutic program via short patient narratives
Author(s) -
Keshet Yael,
Schiff Elad,
Samuels Noah,
BenArye Eran
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3621
Subject(s) - integrative medicine , context (archaeology) , medicine , narrative , quality of life (healthcare) , therapeutic relationship , oncology , psychology , nursing , alternative medicine , psychotherapist , pathology , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , biology
Objective The aim of this study was to assess patient perspectives regarding non‐specific effects of a complementary medicine (CM) consultation and intervention within an integrative oncology setting. Methods Patients undergoing chemotherapy in a community‐based oncology service were referred by oncology healthcare providers to an integrative oncology physician trained in CM‐oriented supportive care. Assessment of concerns and well‐being was made using the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing questionnaire, at baseline and after 3 months of CM treatments, which were designed to improve quality of life (QoL) outcomes. Patients were asked to describe the most important aspects of the integrative treatment process. Free‐text narratives were examined using content analysis with ATLAS.Ti software for systematic coding. Results Of 152 patients' narratives analyzed, 44% reported an experience of patient‐centered care, including CM practitioners' approach of togetherness, uniqueness, and the invoking of an internal process. CM practitioner approach was experienced within a context of an enhanced sense of confidence; gaining a different perspective; and acquiring emotional resilience and empowerment. Conclusions Short patient narratives should be considered for patient‐reported outcomes, expressing perspectives of both effects and experience of care. CM may promote patient QoL‐related outcomes through non‐specific effects, enhancing patient‐centered care. The benefits of CM dependent on general therapeutic incidental aspects (i.e., common factors) warrant attention regarding non‐specific components of treatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.