Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with CancerShow others and affiliations
2024 (English)In: Current Oncology, ISSN 1198-0052, E-ISSN 1718-7729, Vol. 31, no 11, p. 7414-7425Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Both patients and providers experience barriers to discussing complementary medicine during oncology consultations. This study describes the development of two communication tools—a question prompt sheet and a visual slideshow—and aims to evaluate their acceptability, perceived usefulness, and intention to use among patients with cancer. Nine (former) patients with breast cancer were involved in the development of the tools as co-researchers. The 15-item evaluation questionnaire was completed by 144 participants recruited from three Dutch hospitals, a patient panel, and the Dutch Breast Cancer Society. The tools’ content and layout were generally acceptable, although suggestions were made to include items on exercise and diet in the question prompt sheet. About half of the participants found the tools useful, while the other half felt they were unnecessary, either because they could already discuss complementary medicine with their healthcare provider or had no interest in the topic. The tools were considered particularly helpful for fellow patients. The tools were well received though minor modifications were suggested. The lack of perceived need by half of the participants may have influenced the results. For effective use of the tools, it is important to identify patients who need extra support in discussing complementary medicine.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. Vol. 31, no 11, p. 7414-7425
Keywords [en]
acceptability, cancer, patient-provider communication, complementary medicine, oncology, tools, usefulness
National Category
Clinical Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-32851DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31110547OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hb-32851DiVA, id: diva2:1916143
2024-11-262024-11-262025-09-24Bibliographically approved