OBJECTIVE: Describing the processes that preceded the opening of an integrative oncology program (IOP) within the oncology service (OS) of the largest health maintenance organization in northern Israel. METHODS: The groundwork towards initiation of the IOP was based on three key elements (1) Interviews with patients, practitioners and directors were performed in order to explore perspectives regarding complementary medicine integration (CM) within the OS; (2) review of research data on CM efficacy and safety in cancer care; (3) critical comparative analysis of seven models of IOPs in Israel, Europe, and the U.S. RESULTS: Ninety-three interviews included 24 patients, 34 conventional practitioners, 9 medical directors, and 26 CM-trained practitioners. The interviews revealed that there is a need for CM in the OS, aimed towards improving patients' well-being during chemotherapy and advanced disease. An integrative oncology score (IOS) was formulated based on 6 themes considered promoters of successful integration. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of CM within an oncology service should address patients' needs and research knowledge and be built upon mandatory practitioners' communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: IOP modeling necessitates in-depth study aimed at revealing the OS needs and expectations, adjusting research data to the OS clinical challenges, and tailoring an appropriate model of integrative care.
OBJECTIVE: Describing the processes that preceded the opening of an integrative oncology program (IOP) within the oncology service (OS) of the largest health maintenance organization in northern Israel. METHODS: The groundwork towards initiation of the IOP was based on three key elements (1) Interviews with patients, practitioners and directors were performed in order to explore perspectives regarding complementary medicine integration (CM) within the OS; (2) review of research data on CM efficacy and safety in cancer care; (3) critical comparative analysis of seven models of IOPs in Israel, Europe, and the U.S. RESULTS: Ninety-three interviews included 24 patients, 34 conventional practitioners, 9 medical directors, and 26 CM-trained practitioners. The interviews revealed that there is a need for CM in the OS, aimed towards improving patients' well-being during chemotherapy and advanced disease. An integrative oncology score (IOS) was formulated based on 6 themes considered promoters of successful integration. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of CM within an oncology service should address patients' needs and research knowledge and be built upon mandatory practitioners' communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: IOP modeling necessitates in-depth study aimed at revealing the OS needs and expectations, adjusting research data to the OS clinical challenges, and tailoring an appropriate model of integrative care.
Authors: Ilanit Shalom Sharabi; Anna Levin; Elad Schiff; Noah Samuels; Olga Agour; Yehudith Tapiro; Efraim Lev; Lital Keinan-Boker; Eran Ben-Arye Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-05-11 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Eran Ben-Arye; Elad Schiff; Kamer Mutafoglu; Suha Omran; Ramzi Hajjar; Haris Charalambous; Tahani Dweikat; Ibtisam Ghrayeb; Gil Bar Sela; Ibrahim Turker; Azza Hassan; Esmat Hassan; Ariela Popper-Giveon; Bashar Saad; Omar Nimri; Rejin Kebudi; Jamal Dagash; Michael Silbermann Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-01-24 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Eran Ben-Arye; Elad Schiff; Catherine Zollman; Peter Heusser; Pablo Mountford; Moshe Frenkel; Gil Bar-Sela; Ofer Lavie Journal: Med Oncol Date: 2013-02-23 Impact factor: 3.064