OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the meaning and practical implications of integration of a complementary medicine-based surgery service in a hospital setting (CISS--Complementary/Integrative Surgery Service) through analysis of consultation reports associated with this service. METHODS: Thematic analysis was used to evaluate CISS consultation reports in a hospital electronic consultant charting system during the first half year of the service's activity. RESULTS: 304 consultation reports were analyzed. Nurses initiated significantly more consultations than physicians (55% vs 7%). Consultation requests were gradually more focused on specific symptoms, possibly manifesting a better understanding of the scope of complementary medicine in the surgery setting. CISS practitioners responded in more biomedical language over time, albeit offering a more holistic perspective regarding patients' needs as well as clarifications regarding the nature of the treatment they provided. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse communication patterns in consultations evolved over time representing dynamics in multiple levels of integration of the CISS. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Documented communication through consultations can provide a window to the process of integration of complementary medicine-based services in health systems.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the meaning and practical implications of integration of a complementary medicine-based surgery service in a hospital setting (CISS--Complementary/Integrative Surgery Service) through analysis of consultation reports associated with this service. METHODS: Thematic analysis was used to evaluate CISS consultation reports in a hospital electronic consultant charting system during the first half year of the service's activity. RESULTS: 304 consultation reports were analyzed. Nurses initiated significantly more consultations than physicians (55% vs 7%). Consultation requests were gradually more focused on specific symptoms, possibly manifesting a better understanding of the scope of complementary medicine in the surgery setting. CISS practitioners responded in more biomedical language over time, albeit offering a more holistic perspective regarding patients' needs as well as clarifications regarding the nature of the treatment they provided. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse communication patterns in consultations evolved over time representing dynamics in multiple levels of integration of the CISS. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Documented communication through consultations can provide a window to the process of integration of complementary medicine-based services in health systems.
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
Authors: Gur Kreindler; Samuel Attias; Anna Kreindler; Haim Hen; Bassel Haj; Ibrahim Matter; Eran Ben-Arye; Elad Schiff Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2014-04-23 Impact factor: 2.629