Giving voice to cancer patients: assessing non-specific effects of an integrative oncology therapeutic program via short patient narratives

Psychooncology. 2015 Feb;24(2):169-74. doi: 10.1002/pon.3621. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: cancer; integrative medicine; narrative-based medicine; oncology; supportive care.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Attitude to Health
  • Complementary Therapies / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Integrative Medicine / methods*
  • Male
  • Narration
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Patient Outcome Assessment
  • Qualitative Research

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents