1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Partnership Systems of Oregon: CAMPSO
CHRISTINA SPRY
Public Health Program| Pacific University | 2043 College Way | Forest Grove, OR 97116
Abstract
3,280 Oregon women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
The treatment that follows this diagnosis can lead to financial,
physical, and mental problems. Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (CAM) can ease these problems through helping patients
feel physically better and continue living productive lives during
treatment. Patients rely on health care providers for information
about treatment courses, yet many allopathic clinicians are
unfamiliar with CAM. CAMPSO trains clinicians who treat breast
cancer about CAM through expert sessions led by CAM providers.
Thereafter, CAM and allopathic clinicians meet monthly to discuss
new information in CAM and continue the partnership. CAMPSO
also provides patients a brochure about CAM treatments to
encourage them to discuss CAM with their allopathic provider. The
final component of CAMPSO is the ongoing discussion of CAM
treatments between the patient and provider through out the
patients’ breast cancer treatment and post treatment. CAMPSO will
provide Breast Cancer patients with treatments to minimize their
side-­effects which in the long run will lower the negative impacts
cancer patients face post treatment and it will help more women live
a more fulfilling and productive life both during and after treatment.
Background.
With 1 in 3 women in the United States predicted to get Breast
Cancer in their lifetime it is important that we find a way to combine
treatment of this disease and prevention/treatment of the side effects
such as economic strains, physical problems and mental problems
during and after treatment. In Oregon, 3,280 women will get Breast
Cancer this year and have to cope with these burdens. This makes
them an over stressed and over burdened population. These women
have a poverty rate of 25-­30% compared to the states average of
only 16.4%. This stems not only from the cost of treatment, but also
the added stress and inability to work that these women face due to
their treatment.
Some women have began using Complimentary and Alternative
Medical treatments to ease the side effects of treatment. These
women have seen quicker recovery times and many say it has
helped them be able to continue working while receiving chemo
therapy. The problem then is that many women do not use these
treatments because they do not know about them. This problems is
rooted in the history of CAM, as well as a generally lack of
knowledge being given to providers and patients about CAM.
1. History
2. Patients
3. Providers
What is CAM?
CAM is a a very broad term for treatments that are not a part of main
stream medicine, that when combined with regular treatments can
improve health outcomes. Specifically cam includes naturopathic
medicine, physical therapy and many other treatments that are not
considered mainstream. Examples include: Ancient healing systems,
homeopathy, naturopathy, mind-­body medicine, biologically based
practices, acupuncture/acupressure, aromatherapy, biofeedback,
chiropractic, and reflexology, just to name a few. Best results happen
when the CAM treatment is specifically fitted to the patients needs.
Intervention design
Ways to influence:
Program activities:
1. 20+ Breast Cancer Providers get presentation on CAM from a CAM Provider, followed by Q&A Session.
2. Establish committee with 5+ Breast Cancer Providers and 3+ CAM Providers.
3. Give every Patient a Brochure:
a. Read and discuss with Provider
b. Read at home
4. Ongoing Discussion of CAM with Provider during BC Treatment.
Significance
This program will help fill the gap in Breast Cancer treatment
through the utilization of CAM treatments. Since many people do not
understand the benefits of CAM or even know what it is this program
will give patients and providers the information and tools they need
to utilize CAM.
During treatment the utilization of CAM by patients will help ease
their stress, minimize their symptoms and reactions to treatment and
overall provide the patient with a feeling of whole body care. These
treatments will help individuals stay active and work longer, as well
as have better health outcomes. CAM treatments will also allow the
individual to find what they are most in need of with their treatment,
which provides personalized care for better health outcomes.
The big picture effects this program has is changing how we view
cancer treatment and introducing a more holistic approach that
focuses on the individual, which has shown to give the best
outcomes. The smaller effects are the patients and providers raised
knowledge and utilization of CAM, which in turn help improve health
outcomes for patients.
References
American Cancer Society (2015). Breast Cancer Overview. Retrieved from:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-­cancer-­overview-­key-­
statistics
American Cancer Society (2015). Cancer Facts and Figures. Retrieved from:
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-­0445
52.pdf
Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington (2015). State of Breast Cancer. Retrieved
from: http://komenoregon.org/files/State_of_Breast_Cancer_Komen_Oregon.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau. (2015). State and County Quickfacts: Oregon. Retrieved October 5,
2015 retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/SEX255214/00,41
Coulter, A., & Ellins, J. (2007). Effectiveness of strategies for informing, educating, and
involving patients. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 335(7609), 24–27. doi: BMJ 2007;;335:24
Schofield, Diggens, Charleson, Mirigliani and Jefford (2010). Effectively discussing
complementary and alternative medicine in a conventional oncology setting:
Communication recommendations for clinicians. Patient education and counseling. 79. 143-­
151. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.07.038
Swenson, s., Buell S., Zettler P., White M., Ruston D. and Lo B. (2004). Patient-­Centered
Communication. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 19. 1069-­1079. DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-­
1497.2004.30384.x
Nahleh, Z., Tabbara, IA. (2003). Complementary and alternative medicine in breast cancer
patients. Palliat Support Care. 1 (3), pp267-­273.
Acknowledgements
This project was supported by a Pacific University College of Arts
and Sciences Research Grant. I would also like to thank Moriah
McSharry McGrath for her feedback on this project.
Input/
Resources
Activities Outputs
Short-­Term
Outcomes
Long-­Term
Outcomes
Impact
Office Staff
Give Patients
Brochures
Number of
Brochures
handed out
Higher Knowledge of
CAM by Patients
Higher use of CAM
along with Regular
Treatment
Better Overall Care for
Patients well being
during and after cancer
Partnerships
with CAM
Providers
Train BC
Providers in
CAM
Number of
Providers with
raised knowledge
of CAM
Higher Provider
knowledge of
CAM
Higher number of
Providers suggest CAM
with Patients
Change in general view of
CAM
Better whole body
care for Patients
Committee
Committee with
BC Providers and
CAM Providers
Number of
meetings they
attend/hold
Communication
between BC
Providers and
CAM Providers
Establish relationship and
communication between
BC Providers and CAM
Providers
Better Overall whole
body care for BC
Patients
Breast Cancer
Providers
Knowledgeable
in CAM
Providers discuss
all treatment
options including
CAM
Number of patients
with raised
knowledge and
understanding of
CAM
Higher Patient
knowledge of
CAM Treatment
Higher Patient
Utilization of CAM
Treatments with their
normal treatments
Better Whole
Body Care for
BC Patients
Brochures on
CAM
Patients read
brochures while
waiting for doctor
and while at home
Number of
patients who
read the
brochure
Higher amount of
knowledge of
CAM among BC
patients
Higher use of CAM
along with Regular
Treatment
Better Overall Care
for Patients well
being during and
after Cancer Care
Breast
Cancer
Patients
•Brochures given to patients combined with a discussion with a provider works well
in increasing this groups knowledge of treatment options
•Provider discussion is especially important since this group can have a hard time
understanding material because of their diagnosis/treatment
•Brochures must be specifically aimed at the patient (breast cancer patients)
• Providers must be knowledgeable in all treatment options for this group to feel
satisfied with their care
Provider
Knowledge
•Short educational courses influence treatment recommendations (inform, present
and discuss)
•Instructors must be knowledgeable in the field they are teaching
•Inter-­professional Education
Increase
CAM Use
• Many patients do not know what CAM is so knowledge is the most important factor
(Providers, Friends, NGO’s)
• Societal views (From negative to positive)
• More research is needed on how effective some specific treatments are
What is needed to give patients an
adequate knowledge of CAM:
1. Doctors need to be informed on current
CAM treatments and the benefits of
these treatments
2. Brochures need to be given to patients
so they are aware of CAM treatments,
options and benefits.
3. Providers need to discuss CAM with
patients to make sure they understand it
properly.
Knowledge Action