Integrative therapies for symptom management in cancer survivors: Assessment of an on-site integrative medicine (IM) program.

Authors

null

Asma Ali Dilawari

Georgetown Oncology/ LCCC, Olney, MD

Asma Ali Dilawari , Leatt Gilboa , Renee Kakareka , Emily Ratner

Organizations

Georgetown Oncology/ LCCC, Olney, MD, MedStar Institute for Innovation, Washington, DC

Research Funding

Other

Background: Up to 89% of oncology patients utilize integrative therapies with reported improvements in quality of life. However, less than half of patients report IM use to providers, potentially impeding optimal care. In September 2016, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center (MMMC), part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Network, opened the Center for Integrative Medicine (CIM) with support from MedStar’s Institute for Innovation (MI2). This clinical program offers IM consultation, acupuncture, mindfulness, psychology services, nutrition, and reiki. The purpose of this analysis is to examine oncology patient utilization of the CIM. Methods: Medical records of 174 patients seen September 2016 - October 2017 were reviewed, and 39 patients with a cancer diagnosis identified. Data regarding chief complaints, treatments, number of visits, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: 39 (22%) of 174 patients had a cancer diagnosis. After initial consultation, 29 of these patients received IM treatment; 14 returned for ≥5 treatments. Most common chief complaints were pain, stress/anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and arthralgias (Table 1). The majority of CIM’s oncology patients was female and referred from in-network clinicians. The CIM referred 7 patients to other medical providers for unexpected medical issues and 2 required same-day appointments arranged by the CIM. Conclusions: These data illustrate oncology patients’ utilization and benefit of IM services within a hospital network. Communication between IM and referring providers may address unexpected clinical situations, potentially avoiding care delays and facilitating transparency with the use of IM services. Unpleasant symptom treatment may improve therapy adherence and quality of life. This review illustrates feasibility for an on-site CIM and the benefit to cancer survivors when IM services are offered collaboratively.

Presenting symptoms of oncology patients seen at CIM

# (%) of patients reporting symptom
Sleep Disturbance11 (28)
Stress/Anxiety8 (20)
Lack of Energy8 (20)
Other Pain (non-arthralgias)15 (38)
Arthralgias8 (20)

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2018 Cancer Survivorship Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B: Chronic Anticancer Therapy; Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbitidities; Psychosocial Issues; Risk Assessment

Track

Care Coordination, Cost, and Education,Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities,Health Promotion,Psychosocial Issues,Communication and Transitions,Risk Assessment,Chronic Anti-Cancer Therapy

Sub Track

Symptom Management

Citation

J Clin Oncol 36, 2018 (suppl 7S; abstr 142)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2018.36.7_suppl.142

Abstract #

142

Poster Bd #

C7

Abstract Disclosures

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