In 2007, the Haifa and Western Galilee district of the CHS set out to test the feasibility of integrating complementary medicine (CM) within the CHS Oncology Service. In 2008, the CHS established the Integrative Oncology Program with the goal of addressing patient concerns and improving quality of life parameters during chemotherapy and advanced disease. The study hypothesis is that integrated medicine consultation and treatment provided within the oncology department may improve patients' concerns and well-being.
In 2007, the Haifa and Western Galilee district of the CHS set out to test the feasibility of integrating complementary medicine (CM) within the CHS Oncology Service. In 2008, the CHS established the Integrative Oncology Program with the goal of addressing patient concerns and improving quality of life parameters during chemotherapy and advanced disease. The study is purposed to assess concerns, needs and perspectives of patients referred to integrative consultation during chemotherapy and/or advanced cancer; to characterize social demographic and health parameters of patients who consult or avoid integrative medicine consultation; to document complementary medicine use prior and during consultation; to assess if complementary medicine consultation and treatment improve patient's concerns and well-being; and to assess oncology provider and integrative practitioner communications issues concerning integrative care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
2,500
Patients receiving chemotherapy will be referred by their oncology provider to complementary medicine (CM) consultation and treatment provided in addition to conventional supportive care.CM consultation will include assessment of patients' concerns and well-being, current CM use (including herbal and nutritional supplements), and construction of CM treatment based on efficacy and safety considerations.
Patients receiving chemotherapy will be offered assessment of their concerns and well-being as well as their current complementary medicine (CM) use (including herbal and nutritional supplements). Patients in this arm study will receive conventional supportive care with no added CM consultation or treatment.
Lin Zebulon and Carmel Medical centers
Haifa, Israel
RECRUITINGMYCAW (Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing)questionnaire
Assessing patients'concerns and Wellbeing as well as narrative assessment of integrative care outcomes
Time frame: 6-12 weeks(+follow-up 4 months)
ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale)questionnaire
Assessing the severity of 10 leading symptoms and well-being
Time frame: 6-12 weeks(+follow-up 4 months)
EORTC QLQ-C30
The EORTC quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) is an integrated system for assessing the health related quality of life of cancer patients. The questionnaire includes functional and symptom scales.
Time frame: 6-12 weeks(+follow-up 4 months)
FACIT-Sp-12 questionnaire
Assessing patients' spiritual well-being
Time frame: 2-4 months
Attitudes concerning complementary medicine
Assessment of patients' attitudes concerning complementary medicine (CM)safety and efficacy, health beliefs concerning mind-body interactions, and willingness to receive CM treatments
Time frame: 6-12 weeks
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