Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer
Both patients and providers experience barriers to discussing complementary medicine during oncology consultations. This study describes the development of two communication tools—a question prompt sheet and a visual slideshow—and aims to evaluate their acceptability, perceived usefulness, and inten...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/31/11/547 |
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| _version_ | 1850216674163163136 |
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| author | Marit Mentink Janneke Noordman Anja Timmer-Bonte Martine Busch Sandra van Dulmen |
| author_facet | Marit Mentink Janneke Noordman Anja Timmer-Bonte Martine Busch Sandra van Dulmen |
| author_sort | Marit Mentink |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Both patients and providers experience barriers to discussing complementary medicine during oncology consultations. This study describes the development of two communication tools—a question prompt sheet and a visual slideshow—and aims to evaluate their acceptability, perceived usefulness, and intention to use among patients with cancer. Nine (former) patients with breast cancer were involved in the development of the tools as co-researchers. The 15-item evaluation questionnaire was completed by 144 participants recruited from three Dutch hospitals, a patient panel, and the Dutch Breast Cancer Society. The tools’ content and layout were generally acceptable, although suggestions were made to include items on exercise and diet in the question prompt sheet. About half of the participants found the tools useful, while the other half felt they were unnecessary, either because they could already discuss complementary medicine with their healthcare provider or had no interest in the topic. The tools were considered particularly helpful for fellow patients. The tools were well received though minor modifications were suggested. The lack of perceived need by half of the participants may have influenced the results. For effective use of the tools, it is important to identify patients who need extra support in discussing complementary medicine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0a99436488de4420a7645ab3d215319e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0a99436488de4420a7645ab3d215319e2025-08-20T02:08:14ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292024-11-0131117414742510.3390/curroncol31110547Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with CancerMarit Mentink0Janneke Noordman1Anja Timmer-Bonte2Martine Busch3Sandra van Dulmen4Department of Communication in Healthcare, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Otterstraat 118, 3512 CR Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Communication in Healthcare, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Otterstraat 118, 3512 CR Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The NetherlandsVan Praag Institute, Springweg 7, 3511 VH Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Communication in Healthcare, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Otterstraat 118, 3512 CR Utrecht, The NetherlandsBoth patients and providers experience barriers to discussing complementary medicine during oncology consultations. This study describes the development of two communication tools—a question prompt sheet and a visual slideshow—and aims to evaluate their acceptability, perceived usefulness, and intention to use among patients with cancer. Nine (former) patients with breast cancer were involved in the development of the tools as co-researchers. The 15-item evaluation questionnaire was completed by 144 participants recruited from three Dutch hospitals, a patient panel, and the Dutch Breast Cancer Society. The tools’ content and layout were generally acceptable, although suggestions were made to include items on exercise and diet in the question prompt sheet. About half of the participants found the tools useful, while the other half felt they were unnecessary, either because they could already discuss complementary medicine with their healthcare provider or had no interest in the topic. The tools were considered particularly helpful for fellow patients. The tools were well received though minor modifications were suggested. The lack of perceived need by half of the participants may have influenced the results. For effective use of the tools, it is important to identify patients who need extra support in discussing complementary medicine.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/31/11/547acceptabilitycancerpatient–provider communicationcomplementary medicineoncologytools |
| spellingShingle | Marit Mentink Janneke Noordman Anja Timmer-Bonte Martine Busch Sandra van Dulmen Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer Current Oncology acceptability cancer patient–provider communication complementary medicine oncology tools |
| title | Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer |
| title_full | Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer |
| title_fullStr | Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer |
| title_short | Fostering the Conversation About Complementary Medicine: Acceptability and Usefulness of Two Communication-Supporting Tools for Patients with Cancer |
| title_sort | fostering the conversation about complementary medicine acceptability and usefulness of two communication supporting tools for patients with cancer |
| topic | acceptability cancer patient–provider communication complementary medicine oncology tools |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/31/11/547 |
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