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

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.