197363 A survey of Kansas oncologists' attitudes toward massage therapy for breast cancer patients

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Michele Sturgeon, MPH, BS, NCTMB , Integrative Therapies Inc., Wichita, KS
Ruth Wetta-Hall, RN, PhD, MPH, MSN , Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Angelia M. Paschal, PhD, MEd , Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Gina Berg-Copas, PhD, MA , Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Amy Chesser, PhD, MA , Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Traci Hart, PhD, MA , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Marge Good, RN, BSN, MPH , Wichita Community Clinical Oncology Program, Via Christi, Wichita, KS
As patients become more independent consumers of health care, there is a need to better understand physicians' attitudes toward massage therapy (MT) and the dialogue between the physician and patient about MT. This descriptive, cross-sectional, convenience sample study surveyed the attitudes of Kansas medical and radiation oncologists' willingness and comfort level in discussing MT with breast cancer patients. In addition, respondent perceptions of MT dialogue and its impact upon the patient-physician relationship was explored.

Although physicians were willing and comfortable to discuss MT as a treatment option, most did not initiate the conversation with their breast cancer patients although they reported initiating the conversation more often than did their patients. The majority of responding breast cancer patients was uncomfortable with discussing the topic with their physicians. Study findings are compared to a multi-state study by Roberts et al. (2005).

The results of this study have implications for medical education and healthcare provider communication in general. A holistic perspective toward patient communication could lead to improved health outcomes. Medical schools could play an instrumental role in “filling” the gap by teaching physicians how to communicate effectively with patients about their psychosocial concerns and identify potential solutions collaboratively to solve them. Moreover, educational programs that encourage knowledge acquisition by our physicians to better communicate with their patients about CAM and MT in an open and comfortable way can only enhance health outcomes. A holistic perspective toward patient communication could lead to proved health outcomes.

Learning Objectives:
Describe Kansas medical oncologists’ and radiation oncologists’ perceptions toward massage therapy. Explain the relationship between physician age/experience and likelihood to discuss massage therapy as part of treatment.

Keywords: Communication, Breast Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Assisted PI with design and analysis of the study
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.