Professionals’ experiences and attitudes toward use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in hospice palliative inpatient care units: A multicenter survey in Taiwan
Journal
Integrative Medicine Research
Journal Volume
10
Journal Issue
2
Pages
100642
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Lin Y.-J.
Chang H.-T.
Lin M.-H.
Chen R.-Y.
Chen P.-J.
Lin W.-Y.
Hsieh J.-G.
Wang Y.-W.
Hu C.-C.
Liou Y.-S.
Tu C.-Y.
Wang Y.-J.
Cheng B.-R.
Chen T.-J.
Chen F.-P.
Hwang S.-J.
Abstract
Background: Medical staff may have difficulties in using conventional medicine to manage symptoms among terminally ill patients, including adverse effects of the treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is regarded as a complementary or alternative medicine, and has been increasingly used in the field of palliative medicine in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of and attitudes toward using TCM among palliative care professionals, and to provide preliminary information about its use in palliative care. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted in eight inpatient hospice wards in Taiwan between December 2014 and February 2016. The questionnaire was self-administered, and was analyzed with descriptive statistics including Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 251 palliative care professionals responded to the questionnaire, of whom 89.7% and 88.9% believed that the use of TCM could improve the physical symptoms and quality of life in terminally ill patients, respectively. Overall, 59.8%, of respondents suggested that TCM had rare side effects, and 58.2% were worried that TCM could affect the liver and kidney function of patients. In total, 89.7% and 88.0% of professionals agreed there were no suitable clinical practice guidelines and educational programs, respectively, for TCM use in palliative care. Conclusions: Most of the respondents agreed there was insufficient knowledge, skills-training, and continuing education on the use of TCM in terminally ill patients in Taiwan. These results show that to address patient safety considerations, guidelines about use of TCM in palliative care should be established. ? 2020
Subjects
Chinese herbal medicine; Clinical practice guidelines; Educational programs; Palliative care professionals; Traditional Chinese Medicine
SDGs
Other Subjects
abdominal distension; adult; appetite disorder; Article; Chinese medicine; constipation; controlled study; cross-sectional study; demography; dizziness; dyspnea; female; groups by age; health care personnel; hospice; hospital patient; human; major clinical study; male; mouth ulcer; multicenter study; nausea; pain; palliative therapy; personal experience; practice guideline; quality of life; questionnaire; Taiwan; terminally ill patient; vomiting; xerostomia
Publisher
Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine
Type
journal article