Patient activation, self-efficacy and usage of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients

Hübner, Jutta; Welter, Saskia; Ciarlo, Gianluca; Käsmann, Lukas; Ahmadi, Emadaldin and Keinki, Christian (2022): Patient activation, self-efficacy and usage of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients. In: Medical Oncology, Vol. 39, No. 12, 192

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by many cancer patients by themselves. Therefore, we conducted a survey regarding the association between CAM, self-efficacy, and patient activation in adult cancer patients. A standardized questionnaire, consisted of the ASKU, the PAM 13-D, and a structured questionnaire on CAM usage from our own working group, was distributed to 880 potential participants. Six hundred and thirty-nine (639) patients (male 32.9%, female 63.2%;gynecological cancer 41%, gastrointestinal 19.2%, urogenital 15.6%) took part. 60% of all patients used CAM in the last 3 months (biological 73%, holistic 63%, mind-body methods 62%). Higher self-efficacy was associated with higher interest in CAM (p = 0.03), but not usage of CAM, compared to patients with lower self-efficacy (p = 0.099). Higher patient activation was associated with higher interest in CAM (p = 0.004) and usage of CAM (p = 0.012). Patients with higher activation significantly more often used homeopathy (p = 0.007), prayer (p = 0.002), yoga, etc. (p = 0.032), meditation (p = 0.002), low carb or ketogenic diets (p < 0.001) (but not vegan or other cancer diets). Higher patient activation is associated with higher usage of CAM. Focusing on patient activation as a goal in patient-physician relationship will help patients to adhere to a healthy lifestyle and to actively participate in the whole treatment process.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1357-0560
• Language: English