Abstract
Goals of work
The aim of the study is to determine the predictors for seeking a second opinion and the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among gynecologic cancer patients.
Patients and methods
Patients attending a gynecologic cancer clinic of a tertiary referral center were recruited over a period of 1 year. A survey was conducted for all the participants in a one-on-one basis.
Main results
One hundred ninety-one patients were recruited. Eighty patients (41.9%) had consulted other health-care professionals (HCP) for a second opinion after they were diagnosed to have cancer and 89 (46.6%) had utilized CAM. In multivariate analysis, late-stage disease (OR=2.65, 95% CI 1.26–5.58), treatment with radiotherapy (OR=2.27, 95% CI 1.19–4.33) and tertiary education (OR=11.28, 95% CI 3.06–41.54) were independent predictors for seeking a second opinion from other HCP and utilization of CAM. Patients who sought a second opinion from other HCP were more likely to utilize CAM (OR=6.12, 95% CI 3.24–11.54). Eighty percent of the patients did not inform their usual caregiver their utilization of CAM.
Conclusions
Seeking a second opinion from other HCP is common in gynecologic cancer patients. Patients who seek a second opinion are more likely to utilize CAM.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Committee on Research and Conference Grant Council, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (10202159/18323/20900/323/01).
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Tam, K.F., Cheng, D.K.L., Ng, T.Y. et al. The behaviors of seeking a second opinion from other health-care professionals and the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in gynecologic cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 13, 679–684 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-005-0841-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-005-0841-4