Being in touch: narrative assessment of patients receiving online integrative oncology treatments during COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We examined the qualitative impact of an online integrative oncology (IO) treatment program, designed in response to the restrictions created by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Patients undergoing chemotherapy were seen by an integrative physician (IP), together co-designing an IO treatment program of ≥ 6 weekly treatments to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life (QoL). IO practitioners guided patients and their caregivers online in self-treatment with manual/touch, movement, and/or mind-body modalities. Narratives of both patients and IO practitioners were analyzed for systematic coding, identifying barriers and advantages of the online treatment program.

Results

Narratives obtained from 30 patients and eight IO-trained practitioners were ex

SUBMITTER: Ben-Arye E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7859467 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature