Does locating a complementary therapy service in a cancer centre stimulate demand?

Storey LHL¹, Gage H², Williams P², Faithfull S², McDowell C³, Maguire G³, Thomas H⁴, Poole K⁴

¹National Cancer Research Institute, 61 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London WC2A 3AX, UK

²University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 6XH, UK

³Fountain Centre, Guildford GU2 7GH, UK

⁴St Luke’s Cancer Centre, Guildford GU2 7GH, UK

Objective

The aim of this study was to inform policy on integrated care by investigating utilisation of a complementary therapy (CT) unit located within a conventional cancer treatment centre.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective, observational survey. All visitors to the CT unit over a 6-month period were eligible; 761 people were included.

Results

Of all outpatients attending the cancer centre, 498 (15.8%) visited CT unit and 290 (9.2%) accessed therapies. Fifty-nine people used any service more than eight times. Stepwise logistic regression showed significant predictors of therapy use and frequent visits to CT unit were being a patient, female, having higher education and living closer to the cancer centre.

Conclusion

In this study CTs were regularly used by a relatively small number of people whilst a larger number selectively tried a few therapies. Charging policies and staggered study recruitment may contribute to this. The integrated CT unit met a demand for information and informal support. The pleasant environment attracted people waiting for NHS appointments. However, it is clear that the co-location of the unit with free and subsidised therapies did not itself stimulate demand to an unmanageable level.

Top | Next: Determining the effect of naturopathic treatments on anxiety outcomes of Canadian postal workers, randomised controlled parallel group study»