Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children with Cancer: A Study at a Swiss University Hospital.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Though complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are frequently used by children and adolescents with cancer, there is little information on how and why they use it. This study examined prevalence and methods of CAM, the therapists who applied it, reasons for and against using CAM and its perceived effectiveness. Parent-perceived communication was also evaluated. Parents were asked if medical staff provided information on CAM to patients, if parents reported use of CAM to physicians, and what attitude they thought physicians had toward CAM.

Study design

All childhood cancer patients treated at the University Children's Hospital Bern between 2002-2011 were retrospectively surveyed about their use of CAM.

Results

Data was collected from 133 patients (respo

SUBMITTER: Magi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4687920 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature