Shou-Yu Wang
Asia University, Taiwan
Title: Family caregivers’ views and responses to people with cancer who use complementary and alternative medicine
Biography
Biography: Shou-Yu Wang
Abstract
A survey indicated that 34% of Amreican had used complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the previous year. One study found that 95.8% of adults in the community are using CAM in Taiwan. One study explored Australia nurses responses towards cancer patient who use CAM found that nurses are open, sceptical, or ambivalent towards patients who use CAM. Regarding cancer patients’ family responses to cancer patients who use CAM, there are no similar studies to explore in much depth. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore family caregivers’ views and responses to people with cancer who use CAM in Taiwan. Ground theory (GT) was employed in this study. GT approach is a dynamic process whereby people give meaning to the actions of others. Sixteen participants were recruited and volunteered to participate in this study.
Five categories emerge regarding family of cancer patients’ responses and actions to people with cancer who use CAM. The process include: CAM use between patients and family, The purposes of using CAM, The actions of using CAM, Health care professionals’ stands of CAM use process, The needs of family caregivers. The core category is “nothing is more important, as long as he/she is comfortable”. It is expected that this study is able to offer the context of family of cancer patients’ responses and actions to people with cancer who use CAM. Furthermore, relevant in-service education can be suggested in order to enhance heath care professionals’ understanding regarding family of cancer patients’ perspectives regarding CAM.