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Effectiveness of CancerGuides®: A Study of an Integrative Cancer Care Training Program for Health Professionals

Center for Mind-Body Medicine, Washington, DC

Amy T. Wilson, PhD

Department of Educational Foundations and Research, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

Beverly Pierce, MLS, MA, RN, CHTP

James S. Gordon, MD

Center for Mind-Body Medicine, 5225 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 414, Washington, DC 20015 jgordon{at}cmbm.org

Purpose: To determine how CancerGuidesâ®, an integrative cancer care training program, would affect participants' perception of their professional skills, their mood, use of self care and mind-body modalities, and the acceptance of integrative cancer care at their institutions. Study Design: Qualitative and quantitative measures were used during the training program and at 6-month follow-up. A focus group met before and after the training, and individual interviews of focus group participants were done at follow-up. Methods: The week-long program consisted of lectures that provided information on integrating conventional and complementary therapies into individualized programs of cancer care. Small group sessions used mind-body techniques to allow participants to understand the dilemmas faced by cancer patients. A self-report survey was administered at the training program and at 6-month follow-up. The survey included questions on the personal and professional use of modalities and on participants' sense of how well they met the course objectives. Qualitative questions addressed self-care, changes in clinical practice, and the acceptance of integrative therapies by their institutions. The Profile of Mood States was administered before and after the training. Results: Six months after the training, there was a significant increase in the use and/or recommendation of complementary and alternative medicine modalities in clinical practice and a significant increase in the personal practice of these modalities. Participants' perceived level of skill for all of the course objectives was significantly increased following the training and was maintained at 6-month follow-up. There were significant reductions in the Anger-Hostility and Tension-Anxiety subscale scores of the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. In response to qualitative questions, participants reported positive changes in patient care and in their clinical practices at 6-month follow-up. The subset of participants in the focus group interviews reported similar improvements. Thirty-five percent of those responding at follow-up reported an increase in acceptance of integrative cancer therapies at their institutions, and 77% reported making positive changes in self-care. Conclusions: Cancer-Guides provided training that allowed participants to enhance personal self-care, to interact more effectively with their patients, and to develop programs of integrative cancer care.

Key Words: complementary therapies • integrative medicine • mind-body medicine • cancer • continuing education • integrative cancer care

Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 6, No. 1, 14-24 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1534735406298145


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