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01-09-2015 | Original Article

Integration of complementary medicine in supportive cancer care: survey of health-care providers’ perspectives from 16 countries in the Middle East

Authors: Eran Ben-Arye, Elad Schiff, Kamer Mutafoglu, Suha Omran, Ramzi Hajjar, Haris Charalambous, Tahani Dweikat, Ibtisam Ghrayeb, Gil Bar Sela, Ibrahim Turker, Azza Hassan, Esmat Hassan, Ariela Popper-Giveon, Bashar Saad, Omar Nimri, Rejin Kebudi, Jamal Dagash, Michael Silbermann

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 9/2015

Abstract

Introduction

In this multinational Middle-Eastern study, we assessed health-care providers’ (HCPs) perspectives on their patients’ use of complementary and traditional medicine (CTM) and identified the leading barriers to CTM integration in supportive cancer care.

Methods

A 17-item questionnaire was developed and administered to HCPs attending palliative medicine workshops conducted across the Middle East by the Middle East Cancer Consortium.

Results

339 HCPs from 16 countries across the Middle East completed the questionnaire (80.3 % response rate). Respondents perceived their patients’ reasons for CTM use primarily in the context of cancer cure (63 %) and quality of life (QOL) improvement (57 %). Expectation regarding CTM’s role in cancer cure/survival was more pronounced in Turkey, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and the Persian Gulf area. In contrast, the expectation that CTM would improve QOL was more emphasized in Israel. A mid-position between the cure/survival and QOL poles was observed in Cyprus, Lebanon, and the North African countries. Leading barriers to CTM integration in supportive cancer care included oncologists’ skepticism and a gap between patients’ expectations and HCP’s objectives. Respondents’ leading recommendation to HCPs was to communicate integrative care emphasizing well-being and improved functioning in accordance with their patients’ health beliefs.

Conclusion

CTM integration in supportive cancer care can be facilitated by implementing a platform for Middle Eastern clinical collaborations. HCPs’ expectations and experiences with CTM have been positive in the oncology setting. These data need to be corroborated with information of patients’ expectations on the provision of CTM over all phases of the oncology treatment.

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Title: Integration of complementary medicine in supportive cancer care: survey of health-care providers’ perspectives from 16 countries in the Middle East
Authors: Eran Ben-Arye
Elad Schiff
Kamer Mutafoglu
Suha Omran
Ramzi Hajjar
Haris Charalambous
Tahani Dweikat
Ibtisam Ghrayeb
Gil Bar Sela
Ibrahim Turker
Azza Hassan
Esmat Hassan
Ariela Popper-Giveon
Bashar Saad
Omar Nimri
Rejin Kebudi
Jamal Dagash
Michael Silbermann
Publication date: 01-09-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 9/2015
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2619-7

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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