Gynecologic oncologists' attitudes and practices relating to integrative medicine: results of a nationwide AGO survey

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017 Jun 8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-017-4420-y. [Epub ahead of print]

Klein E¹, Beckmann MW², Bader W³, Brucker C⁴, Dobos G⁵, Fischer D⁶, Hanf V⁷, Hasenburg A⁸, Jud SM², Kalder M⁹, Kiechle M¹, Kümmel S¹⁰, Müller A¹¹, Müller MT¹², Paepke D¹, Rotmann AR¹³, Schütz F¹⁴, Scharl A¹⁵, Voiss P^5,10, Wallwiener M¹⁴, Witt C¹⁶, Hack CC^17,18.

Author information

1

Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.

2

Frauenklinik des Universitätsklinikums Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.

3

Zentrum für Frauenheilkunde, Klinikum Bielefeld Mitte, Bielefeld, Germany.

4

Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nuremberg, Germany.

5

Klinik für Naturheilkunde und Integrative Medizin der Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany.

6

Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam, Germany.

7

Frauenklinik und Brustzentrum Nathanstift, Klinikum Fürth, Fürth, Germany.

8

Klinik und Poliklinik für Geburtshilfe und Frauengesundheit, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

9

Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.

10

Interdisziplinäres Brustkrebszentrum der Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany.

11

Frauenklinik, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe gGmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany.

12

Frauenarztpraxis am Hochdahler Markt, Erkrath, Germany.

13

Praxis für Frauenheilkunde, Geburtshilfe und Naturheilkunde, Rodgau, Germany.

14

Universitätsfrauenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

15

Brustzentrum Klinikum St. Marien Amberg, Amberg, Germany.

16

Institut für komplementäre und integrative Medizin, UniversitätSpital Zürich und Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.

17

Frauenklinik des Universitätsklinikums Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany. carolin.hack@uk-erlangen.de.

18

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsstrasse 21-23, 91054, Erlangen, Germany. carolin.hack@uk-erlangen.de.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The growing popularity and acceptance of integrative medicine is evident both among patients and among the oncologists treating them. As little data are available regarding health-care professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to the topic, a nationwide online survey was designed.

METHODS:

Over a period of 11 weeks (from July 15 to September 30, 2014) a self-administered, 17-item online survey was sent to all 676 members of the Research Group on Gynecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie) in the German Cancer Society. The questionnaire items addressed the use of integrative therapy methods, fields of indications for them, advice services provided, level of specific qualifications, and other topics.

RESULTS:

Of the 104 respondents (15.4%) using integrative medicine, 93% reported that integrative therapy was offered to breast cancer patients. The second most frequent type of tumor in connection with which integrative therapy methods were recommended was ovarian cancer, at 80% of the participants using integrative medicine. Exercise, nutritional therapy, dietary supplements, herbal medicines, and acupuncture were the methods the patients were most commonly advised to use.

CONCLUSION:

There is considerable interest in integrative medicine among gynecological oncologists, but integrative therapy approaches are at present poorly implemented in routine clinical work. Furthermore there is a lack of specific training. Whether future efforts should focus on extending counseling services on integrative medicine approaches in gynecologic oncology or not, have to be discussed. Evidence-based training on integrative medicine should be implemented in order to safely guide patients in their wish to do something by themselves.

KEYWORDS:

Breast cancer; Complementary medicine; Gynecologic oncology; Integrative medicine; Oncologists’ attitudes; Survey

PMID:

28597400

DOI:

10.1007/s00404-017-4420-y