The use of a brochure to enable CAM-with-chemotherapy patient education

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to find if the availability of a purposedesigned complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) brochure within a cancer service aided doctors' discussions with their patients on the effects of CAM, helped patients understand the effects of CAM during their chemotherapy treatment and saved doctor consultation time. Methods: Cancer-care doctors consulting in an adult day unit completed a structured post-intervention feedback survey form. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment were provided the brochure and completed the local health service consumer testing feedback form. Results: All cancer care doctors (n = 17) perceived a need for the brochure, and recommended the brochure to their patients. All doctors thought the brochure made it easier for them to discuss CAM with their patients and 59% answered it saved them time during patient consultations. 90% of cancer patients (n = 30) reported the brochure had enough information to answer their CAM questions and all patients thought the brochure's information easy to read and understand. Conclusions: An evidence-based CAM-with-chemotherapy patient brochure enabled cancer-care doctors to discuss CAM with their patients, answered patients' CAM questions and may save consultation time.L72220879 <br />