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Ben-Arye E, Samuels N, Seifert G, Gressel O, Peleg R, Jong M. Integrative Medicine Across the Pediatric Cancer Care Trajectory: A Narrative Review. Curr Oncol Rep 2024; 26:714-734. [PMID: 38733465 PMCID: PMC11169001 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-024-01538-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Children and adolescents with cancer, along with their parents and other informal caregivers, often report using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during active oncology and hemato-oncology treatment. Some adopt an "alternative" approach to conventional medical care, which often entails the use of these practices without the knowledge of the treating pediatrician. In contrast, many others search for consultation provided by a pediatric integrative oncology (IO) practitioner working with the conventional medical team. IO seeks to provide evidence-based complementary medicine therapies, many of which have been shown to augment conventional supportive and palliative care, while ensuring the patient's safety. The present narrative review examines the current state of and future direction for the IO setting of care. RECENT FINDINGS A large body of published clinical research supports the effectiveness of leading Pediatric IO modalities, while addressing potential safety-related concerns. Despite the growing amount of clinical research supporting the beneficial effects and implementation of Pediatric IO models of care, there is still a need for further studies in order to establish clinical guidelines in the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer. Such IO-directed guidelines will need to address both the effectiveness and the safety of the CAM modalities being used in pediatric oncology and hemato-oncology settings, promoting a better understanding among pediatric healthcare professionals and helping them understand the indications for referral to the IO treatment service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran Ben-Arye
- Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service, Zebulun Medical Centers, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Carmel &, Lin, Israel.
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Noah Samuels
- Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology and Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Orit Gressel
- Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service, Zebulun Medical Centers, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Carmel &, Lin, Israel
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Raviv Peleg
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Integrative Pediatric Medicine Program, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Miek Jong
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), UiT, Tromsø, Norway
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Tröndle M, Stritter W, Odone V, Peron K, Ghelman R, Seifert G. Beyond the Standard of Care: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of an Implemented Integrative Therapeutic Care Program in a Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Unit. J Altern Complement Med 2021; 27:1002-1010. [PMID: 34668735 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2021.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: This article examines the feedback of health care providers within the implementation of an integrative care project in a clinic for pediatric oncology in São Paulo, Brazil. Since 2017, the project has implemented external anthroposophic therapies in the activities of daily nursing. The objective is to evaluate how the project evolved and what impact it had on the daily operation of the hospital. A special focus emphasizes the perspective of study nurses. Materials and Methods: Twelve qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted. Audio files were transcribed, translated to German, and underwent a MAXQDA software-assisted analysis. Using a thematic approach, coherent cross-case topics were defined. Results: Three main topics emerged from analysis of the data. (1) The implementation and its effects on daily patient care demonstrated positive outcomes in patients and were well accepted with minimal changes in daily activities. (2) The perspective of study nurses showed a large motivation due to beneficial and stress-relieving effects of the application and a growing patient-health care provider relationship. (3) Problems and aspirations for improvement were the lack of time and the urge to make the project grow in the future. Conclusion: Not only patients but also health care providers seem to benefit from integrative methods. They have the potential to improve the working atmosphere and to strengthen relations between patients, caregivers, and family members. General feedback was positive and acceptance in the team arose over time when beneficial effects became visible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Tröndle
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stritter
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vicente Odone
- Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karina Peron
- Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Ghelman
- Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lüthi E, Diezi M, Danon N, Dubois J, Pasquier J, Burnand B, Rodondi PY. Complementary and alternative medicine use by pediatric oncology patients before, during, and after treatment. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:96. [PMID: 33736643 PMCID: PMC7977159 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03271-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and the modalities used by pediatric oncology patients vary widely across studies. In addition, the changes in the use of CAM over the course of treatment are understudied. Thus, this study aimed to explore (1) CAM use by pediatric oncology patients in relation to specific time intervals and (2) communication about CAM use between parents and oncologists. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of children diagnosed with cancer at a Swiss pediatric hematology-oncology center by means of an online questionnaire. Questions were related to their child’s CAM use over different time intervals, sources of information about CAM use, and communication with the oncologists. Results Among 140 respondents, CAM was used by 54.3% of patients before diagnosis and 69.3% of patients after diagnosis. During each defined time interval, between 50 and 58.8% of the patients used at least one CAM. Homeopathy was the most popular CAM modality used during oncology treatment, during the first year after treatment, and between 1 and 5 years after the end of treatment. Osteopathy was the most popular CAM ≥5 years after the end of oncology treatment. Forty percent of respondents did not discuss CAM with their oncologist. Conclusions The high prevalence of CAM use and the different trends of use during the oncology care pathway and afterward underline the need to increase communication about CAM in the pediatric oncology setting, notably regarding benefits and risks of interaction with oncology treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03271-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Lüthi
- Institute of Family Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route des Arsenaux 41, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland. .,Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Manuel Diezi
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Danon
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Anesthesiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Pain Center and Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julie Dubois
- Institute of Family Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route des Arsenaux 41, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.,Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Pasquier
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Burnand
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Yves Rodondi
- Institute of Family Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route des Arsenaux 41, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.,Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Perception of integrative care in paediatric oncology-perspectives of parents and patients. Complement Ther Med 2020; 56:102624. [PMID: 33248249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE For some years now, a programme for the use of integrative care in paediatric oncology has been established in a German university hospital and offers patients and parents complementary treatment options. According to their medical condition and wishes. A variety of external applications such as medical wraps, warm oil compresses and rhythmic embrocations are offered. This article analyses how patients and parents perceived and experienced the integrative care program. METHODS In this qualitative study, data consists of field notes conducted through participant observation, informal conversations and interviews with parents (n = 25) during the implementation phase of the program. Data was analysed on basis of thematic analysis and organized with the analysis software MAXQDA. RESULTS Parents and families intuitively developed strategies for dealing with crisis situations such as childhood cancer. In addition, many of the families brought with them a wealth of experience in complementary medicine. Parents perceived the integrative care treatments as soothing, relaxing and pain-relieving for their child. Patients could relax and side effects of chemotherapy were alleviated. However, children, who undergoing chemotherapy were not always open for physical touch and thus sometimes also rejected the treatments sometimes. CONCLUSION The analysed integrative care programme is perceived as a strong patient and family-centred approach of support during the oncological paediatric treatment. From a salutogenetic viewpoint, this program aims to strengthen the dimension of manageability within the concept of sense of coherence. Parents are given supportive means to manage side effects and ease their child's suffering, through touch and attention that can be very beneficial.
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Rutert B, Stritter W, Eggert A, Auge U, Laengler A, Seifert G, Holmberg C. Development of an Integrative Care Program in a Pediatric Oncology Unit. Complement Med Res 2020; 28:131-138. [PMID: 33040053 DOI: 10.1159/000510247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this article is to describe what needs to be considered in implementing care practices, in this case an integrative care program consisting of anthroposophic treatments, in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital. METHODS We used a pediatric oncology department to implement an integrative care program. We conducted a qualitative study including participant observation and semi-structured interviews with parents, nurses, doctors, and therapists. Data analysis was based on a grounded theory approach and focused on the status quo of care in the ICU. RESULTS The following factors needed to be considered: the structure of the ICU, communication and information dissemination, and time constraints. This led to the following components of the integrative care program: (1) a training plan in anthroposophic treatments for all nurses that was conducted by 2 trained anthroposophic nurses, and (2) the introduction of an integrative shift that was on top of regular care at the ICU and focused on delivery of integrative care to patients. CONCLUSION To add new care components to an ICU, the existing context has to be considered. Time constraints and high workload are factors that need to be recognized. In this particular context, a highly flexible program was the solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Rutert
- Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of the Sciences and Humanities, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stritter
- Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Auge
- Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alfred Laengler
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Institute for Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Witten-Herdecke University, Witten-Herdecke, Germany
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, .,Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany,
| | - Christine Holmberg
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Potsdam, Germany.,Departamento de Pediatria, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Stritter W, Rutert B, Eggert A, Längler A, Holmberg C, Seifert G. Evaluation of an Integrative Care Program in Pediatric Oncology. Integr Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1534735420928393. [PMID: 32646250 PMCID: PMC7357053 DOI: 10.1177/1534735420928393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This article discusses the results of an evaluation of the one-year implementation period of an integrative care program at a pediatric oncology ward, which consists of integrative care treatments offered three times a week to the patients. The guiding questions are how the model was implemented, which factors have to be considered for successful implementation, and which factors showed to be obstacles during implementation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied for data saturation. Qualitative data consist of participant observations and informal conversations during the implementation phase. All observational records were filed in the data program MAXQDA. For the quantitative data, all integrative care treatments applied on the intensive care unit were documented and subsequently filed in an Excel sheet. Both sets of data were analyzed for the evaluation. Results: Four main thematic clusters influenced the implementation: (1) the organization and structure of the intensive care unit; (2) mood and atmosphere; (3) feedback on treatment; and (4) time and experience. All factors are interlinked and cannot be looked at independently. Results of the quantitative data show that the most frequent used treatments were those with calming and relaxing effects, followed by treatments for stomachache, nausea, and obstipation. Conclusions: The implementation of an integrative model of care is a process that demands thorough understanding of the complex setting of the ward, ongoing adaptation to the structures and organization of the ward, and the integration of factors like feedback, time, atmosphere, and the mood of parents, patients, and nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alfred Längler
- Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Christine Holmberg
- Institut für Sozialmedizin—Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany
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Integrative oder alternative Kinder- und Jugendmedizin? Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00112-019-0737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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