• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.21-25
• /
• 2012

The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among women with gynecologic cancer is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, it is important to gain insight into the prevalence and factors related to the use of CAM. The aim of this study was to assess the use of CAM in women with gynecologic cancer. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from 67 gynecological cancer patients at gynecologic oncology clinic of a hospital in Turkey between October 2009 to December 2010 using a questionnaire developed specifically for this study. The instrument included questions on socio-demographic information, disease specifics and complementary and alternative medicine usage. On the basis of women's responses, all participants were divided into 2 groups: CAM users and nonusers. The findings indicated that 61.2% of the women reported the use of 1 or more CAM therapies. There were no significant differences in the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between CAM users and nonusers (P <0.05). The most frequently used CAM method was herbal therapy (90.2%) and the second was prayer (41.5%). The main sources of information about CAM were informal (friends/ family members). A considerable proportion (56.1%) of CAM users had discussed their CAM use with their physicians or nurses. Turkish women with gynecologic cancer frequently use CAM in addition to standard medical therapy. Nurses/ oncologists caring for women with gynecologic cancer should initiate a dialogue about usage of CAM, discussing the potential adverse effects of CAM and the patient's therapeutic goals.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.181-192
• /
• 2008

Objective: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common especially among patients with osteoarthritis The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization rate and expenditures of patients who use CAM. Method: Two hundred seventy four patients with osteoarthritis were interviewed by a telephone survey. A structured questionnaire about sociodemographic features and type, cost, satisfaction and reason of CAM utilization was used Results: Among 274 patients with osteoarthritis, 251 patients(91.6%) had used at least one type of CAM during six months. There was a significant difference in sex (female), age (70 years), medical security (insurance), educational level between the user and non-user of CAM. Hyperthermia was the most use. The average cost for CAM utilization was 120 thousands won/person during six months and there was no difference in sociodemographic features among the out-of-pocket cost of users. The scores of satisfaction for CAM use were ranged between 60-70. Conclusions: CAM became a popular source of health care because of elderly and lay referral system. And Korean spent a substantial amount of out-of-pocket money on CAM without benefit. Health care system and professionals should pay more attention to CAM, make a evidence for CAM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine patient characteristics and other factors associated with discontinuation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in Korea. Methods: A national, multicenter, cross-sectional survey of cancer patients was performed in which 674 of 2,661 patients were analyzed for their use of CAM after cancer diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the factors related to CAM discontinuation. Results: Among the surveyed cancer patients, 25.3% (674 of 2,661) had used CAM, whereas 38.3% (258 of 674) of those with CAM experience had discontinued CAM therapy. The most frequently used form of CAM was herbs (43.5%). The major reasons for the discontinuation of CAM included absence of effects (23.9%), financial burden (22.9%), and physician opposition (13.7%). Other factors associated with the discontinuation of CAM included metastatic cancer (OR = 2.06), a long duration of cancer treatment (OR = 3.34), dissatisfaction (OR = 4.34), and side effects (OR = 4.23) of CAM therapy. Conclusions: For cancer patients to correctly employ CAM therapy, increase their satisfaction, and reduce their side effects, efforts should be made to analyze the cost effectiveness of CAM, and valid information must be provided to physicians and cancer patients.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-30
• /
• 2000

One form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), oriental medicine has developed differently from the western medicine under its own environment and history. Western medicine was introduced to Korea about 120 years ago. But unfortunately, there still is an indisputable lack of cooperative movement between oriental medicine ＆ western medicine. However, the market share of CAM has grown markedly in most industrialized countries (the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia). In these countries, alternative medicine such as acupuncture and herbal remedies was adopted as a "complementary" therapies of mainstream medicine, to calm the symptoms of terminal illness. Recently in Korea, there was a movement to cooperate oriental medicine ＆ western medicine. However, until this time in Korea, there was a conflict between oriental medicine ＆ western medicine. They blame each other. Such as "Other side is guilty of improper evaluation of patients, possibly suppressing effective therapies of their own side and profit-motivated". Though most western medicine practitioners criticize oriental medicine, the level of adopting alternative forms of health care by the public and by some western medicine practitioners will continue to increase. Therefore oriental medicine ＆ western medicine share a mutual responsibility to apply evidence-based practices, to seek scientific empirical proof through planned interventions, and to increase the quality of health care.lity of health care.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.79-82
• /
• 2013

The demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing worldwide. High-technology medicine is not always effective and is often accompanied by neglected self-care and high cost. Also, conventional medicine has become dependent on expensive technological solutions to health problems. Integrated medicine is not simply a synonym for complementary medicine. It involves the understanding of the interaction of the mind, body, and spirit and how to interpret this relationship in the dynamics of health and disease. Integrative medicine shifts the orientation of the medical practice from a disease-based approach to a healing-based approach. In South Korea, CAM education was first provided 20 years ago, and integrative medicine is becoming part of the current mainstream medicine. Increasing numbers of fellowships in integrative medicine are being offered in many academic health centers in the U.S. Also, it has emerged as a potential solution to the American healthcare crisis and chronic diseases, which are bankrupting the economy. It provides care that is patient-centered, healing-oriented, emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, and uses therapeutic approaches originating from conventional and alternative medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.243-262
• /
• 2009

Purpose: In recent, there have been a lot of studies exploring effective methods to relieve pains and sufferings of women delivered of child. The ultimate purpose of the study is to investigate the developmental trends of the complementary alternative medicine(CAM, hereafter), which has increasingly obtained the approval of the women and therefore established the academic foundations in effect. Methods: Systematic analysis with diverse written materials concerning the complementary alternative medicine was carried out. For the analysis, materials related with the issue of the study were searched at the Pubmed, the Korea Education & Research Information Service. Results: 1. One of the results of interest is the verification of the fact in that diverse complementary therapies are nowadays substantially applied to the many situations of delivery and childbirth. 2. The results showed clearly that CAM has several prominent influences on the whole process of the delivery: from the reduce of the pains and the time for delivery, to increasement of the satisfactional level of the mother. 3. According to the results, the emphasis of CAM is mainly placed not just on the relieving of pains and sufferings of the mothers, but on empowering them to face them with self-confidence. 4. The results of the study suggest strongly that the professionals should provide mothers with useful information and methods to help them to get through the pains during the delivery period. Conclusion: The result of the study is to suggest persuasively that more systematic attention should be paid to the researches exploring effectiveness and stability and safety of CAM.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.137-149
• /
• 2009

Objectives: Pregnant women could have various diseases, but the treatment of medication has the limitation that could cause fetal injury. So pregnant women have used complementary and alternative medicine in the world, but korean medicine had not been actively studied on obstetrics. This study is to investigate efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine on obstetrics. Methods: We searched for papers which had pregnancy, obstetrics, complementary medicine, acupuncture and herb in the pubmed since 2000. Results: 41 papers were found. Acupuncture have the efficacy and safety on nausea, pelvic pain in pregnancy and breech presentation. Complementary alternative medicine had been studied as randomized controlled trial at various diseases in obstetric. But the method were without coordination, results were different from methods. So more clinical trials about complementary and alternative medicine would be needed. Massage and acupressure would be helpful for pregnant mood complaint. Conclusion: Complementary and alternative medicine has been proved as efficacy and safety in obstetrics, so complementary and alternative medicine would be helpful method in pregnant women. For making guidelines on complementary and alternative medicine treatment during pregnancy, more research will be needed.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.23.1-23.6
• /
• 2015

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice is still popular among the Malaysian population nowadays although western or allopathic medicine is the first line of treatment. Dissatisfaction with health services and therapeutic effects of western medicine or preference for holistic, integrative approach in treatment are common reasons favouring the increasing popularity of CAM practices. The efforts toward integration of CAM and western medicine in Malaysia were rather slow and in a piece-meal fashion. Strategic efforts in strengthening government and self-regulation among practitioners, formalizing education, promoting research, and cultivating national and international networks are necessary to achieve an integrative system. Regulations to restrict the practice and sale of CAM products to licensed practitioners, strict and mandatory registration of the practitioners, inclusion of CAM in essential medicines list, and pricing regulations must be comprehensively discussed. Development of curriculum, offers of scholarship and incentives, promotion of courses and seminars for professionals is necessary to increase the numbers of CAM experts. Malaysia should follow the efforts of other countries on the production and documentation of local CAM data, allocation of funding, and establishment of research centres to assess the efficacy of potentially useful local products. Local and international collaboration in research and continuous education is important for exchange of knowledge and skills. In conclusion more coordinated efforts in regulation of CAM practice and products, formalizing CAM training and education would significantly move the process forward and allow the public to enjoy more health benefits from CAM practice in Malaysia.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.7-19
• /
• 2001

In our country, patients with diabetes mellitus are searching for complementary treatments to recover from illness, while they received treatments from the doctor. However, have been evaluated or investigated systematically. This study was carried out to explore application of complementary treatments for patients with DM. For this survey, questionnaires were developed by researchers and the data was collected from July to October of 1999. Among the 223 subjects, there is one general hospital, one oriental hospital, 15 area C.H.P, ahd 2 area health centers. The results were as follows: 1. The total number of cases was 223 and the average age was 62.85 years old and average duration of DM was 8.1 years. The number of patients who had experience with alternative therapies was 145 (65%). The number of those who have not undergone treatments was 78 (35%). 2. The 43.5% of experienced CAM were advised family and relatives. Only 30.3% approved the effect of CAM and 52.5% said that If another a new CAM is introduced, they will try it. 4. Ninety three kinds of complementary treatments were used. Among the used items, 63.7% was various types of plants, 21.6% was animal material and 14.7% was the mixed group. As a single item, Bombyx Mori (Silkworm) was the most frequently used (10.5%) followed by the bean, mushroom, Morus bombycis (mulberry), Ginseng, Commelina Communis (Dalgaebi), Chinese medicine, root of Rosa rugosa (Haedangwha). 5. Among the used items, Trichosanthes kirilowii Max. Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, Commelina Communis, Aralia elata, pine needle, mulberry fruit, root of Rosa rugosa. Ginseng, Lycii Fructus, Dioscorea radix, Polygonatum odoratum, Cassia tora L, Bombyx Mori, loach, Crucian carp were based upon the pharmacological function of effect for control of diabetes mellitus symptom. 6. In the analysis of the relationships between the general characters of the patients with new complementary alternative medicine try and hospital treatment; 1) The shorter group suffered from DM (p=.038), poor Self-MBG (p=.037) and wanted to try new complementary alternative medicine. 2) The group of DM education experience were carried out hospital treatment well (p=.045). In conclusion, further study will be required for the patients experience using alternative therapies as the D-M in terms of holistic view of patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.546-555
• /
• 1999

Objectives : To determine the prevalence, pattern. and out-of-pocket expenditure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization in Korean adult population. Methods : We conducted a representative telephone survey of 2,042 persons aged 18 or older. Data about any health problem, details of their use of medical doctors(MDs) offices/hospitals/pharmacies services and CAM during the preceding 12 months were collected with structured questionnaire. Results : The utilization rate of CAM among Korean adults was 29% in one year. A total of 231 kinds of CAM was identified from this survey. Annual out-of-pocket expenditure associated with CAM use in 1998 amounted to ${\xi}{\S}1.88$ billion and was comparable to 40.8% of out-of-pocket expenditure paid for MDs offices/hospitals/pharmacies services. Among those(N=424) who paid for both MDs offices/hospitals/pharmacies services an d CAM, 35.8% paid more for CAM. CAM gave more satisfaction than western medicine to those who had experience of both types of therapy. About half of CAM users were willing to recommend CAM to others. Disclosure rate to physician among CAM users was not high(40.6%). Conclusion : CAM became a popular source of health care in Korea, Korean spent a substantial amount of out-of-pocket money on CAM without any public control. Because CAM use is likely to be increased rapidly through lay referral system, health policy makers and health professionals should pay more attention to CAM for making appropriate utilization of CAM.