233860 Development and Implementation of a Pediatric Integrative Oncology Professional Education Strategy

Monday, November 8, 2010

Anne M. Doherty-Gilman, MPH , Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Alternative and complementary therapies have been shown to provide benefit to patients while undergoing cancer treatment, yet these therapies are often not recommended to patients by their oncology care team. It has been shown also that patients with cancer are using alternative and complementary methods, yet are sometimes not talking with their providers about this usage. At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, MA, adults are more likely than pediatric patients to use complementary therapies on-site at the hospital. Research on these therapies for pediatric patients is evolving and providers have commented that a lack of research can sometimes be a reason for lack of referral. This paper will explore an initiative to integrate complementary therapies in the pediatric oncology clinic at DFCI. Strategies such as Demonstration Days and educational materials and implementation procedures will be discussed. Evaluations from integration events have been analyzed and will be presented. Offering integraive therapies in pediatric oncology is important and necessary in offering comprehensive cancer care.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Define pediatric integrative oncology. List effective strategies to enhance professional's knowledge of pediatric integrative oncology. Explain conference particiapants response to education.

Keywords: Education, Pediatrics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have developed and implemented ACHP programs for many years, especially within the field of oncology.
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.