Family Members’ Perspectives on Integrative Chinese-Western Medicine in Cancer Care

Ting Sun,1,2,&ast; Ting Wang,2,&ast; Fan Xia,3 Lin Xia,4 Xin Sun,2 Haili Jiang,2 Panlin Xu,2 Ping Li1 1Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, People’s Republic of China; 2Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, People’s Republic of China; 3Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, Hefei BOE Hospital, Hefei, 230000, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ping Li, Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13965112719, Email [email protected]: Family members play a central supporting role in cancer patient management. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of cancer patients’ family members regarding the use of integrative Chinese-Western medicine in cancer treatment. Proper knowledge is necessary for informed decision-making and providing adequate care and support.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and December 2022 and included family members of cancer patients.Results: A total of 493 questionnaires were collected. The mean score of knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 5.87 ± 3.63 (possible range: 0– 12), 59.90 ± 9.45 (possible range: 16– 80), and 21.73 ± 3.27 (possible range: 6– 30), respectively. Junior college (university programs lasting 2– 3 years) or above (OR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.41– 5.88, P=0.004), had family members attending Chinese Medicine/Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine departments (OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.17– 3.24, P=0.011), and possessed knowledge of TCM (OR=2.90, 95% CI: 1.76– 4.79, P< 0.001) were linked to good knowledge. Knowledge (OR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.23– 3.11, P=0.005) and family members attending Chinese Medicine/Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine departments (OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.27– 3.47, P=0.004) were linked to positive attitudes. Attitude (OR=5.65, 95% CI: 3.57– 8.93, P< 0.001) was linked to positive practices.Conclusion: The family members of cancer patients showed limited knowledge and moderate attitudes and practices. Efforts should be made to address the benefits of integrative Chinese-Western medicine and provide more access to education and resources related to TCM. Although research would be necessary, the present study could provide hints regarding the combination of modern and traditional medicine in other countries.Keywords: cross-sectional study, knowledge, attitudes, practice, traditional Chinese medicine, cancer