Integrating Complementary Medicine and Supportive Care: Patients' Perspectives Toward Complementary Medicine and Spirituality

Objectives: The association of spirituality and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in oncology is unfolding as a research theme that may have practical implications in supportive care. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perspectives regarding CAM and spirituality in order to address their needs in an integrative oncology program. Methods: A 27-item questionnaire was developed that was administered by research assistants to a convenience sample of patients attending a community-based oncology service in northern Israel. Results: Of the 509 respondents, 302 (67.4%) were undergoing active oncological treatment and 146 (32.6%) were doing follow-up surveillance. Current and/or previous year CAM use for oncology treatment was reported by 244 of 495 respondents (49%). A logistic regression model indicated that CAM use was associated with younger age, Jewish religion, and higher cancer-related spiritual quest [EXP(B) = 2.102, 95% confidence interval for EXP(B) 1.236-3.575, p = 0.006]. Compared with patients with lower spiritual quest, CAM users with higher spiritual quest expressed more expectations of CAM counseling in the following themes: improving daily functioning and coping with disease, lessening chemotherapy side-effects, and supporting the patient and family emotionally and spiritually. In addition, they expected their social worker to be more involved in building the CAM treatment plan compared to patients with average spiritual quest (35.3% versus 16.3%, p = 0.038). Conclusions: Higher degree of spiritual quest is associated with increased CAM use, and higher expectations from CAM providers and social workers in the context of CAM integration within cancer care.