https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5458-4222
Abstract
Purpose
Even in cases of positive evidence for complementary medicine (CM) therapies, it is still difficult for cancer patients to identify reputable providers. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a criteria list to provide guidance to cancer patients seeking a reputable CM provider.
Methods
The design combined a literature review, an expert consensus procedure (n=15) and an assessment from three stakeholder perspectives (patients (n=18), CM providers (n=26) and oncology physicians (n=20)).
Results
A total of 30 existing CM criteria were extracted from the literature, and 12 more were added by the experts. The main challenge was to define criteria that could easily be applied by the patients. A final comprehensive list of 8 criteria guiding cancer patients to find a reputable CM provider was developed.
Conclusion
Health professionals and cancer information services might find the criteria list helpful when aiming to strengthen patients’ awareness of quality-related factors associated with CM providers. The criteria developed might be helpful when standards are established for quality assurance in CM in oncology.
Trial Registration
This project is part of the KOKON-KTO study registered as DRKS00012704 on the “German Clinical Trials Register” (date of registration: August 28, 2017).
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Acknowledgment
We would like to thank Brigitte Blum, Iris Bartsch, Katja Icke, all participants in the evaluation process and the scientists at the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, for their helpful comments on the study .
Author Contributions
AAR and CMW performed the systematic review, wrote the manuscript and contributed to the design of the study. AAR coordinated the study and analyzed the data. CMW wrote the grant application and had the overall responsibility for the study. All authors contributed to the development of the criteria list (including data interpretation), drafting and revising of the manuscript, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
Patrick Jahn reports grants, personal fees from Chugai, personal fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, non-financial support from Helsinn, non-financial support from Tesaro, outside the submitted work. Petra Voiß reports grants from Carstens-Stiftung, during the conduct of the study. Claudia M. Witt reports personal fees, non-financial support from Several Swiss Hospitals, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.
