International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society
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Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer · Apr 2011
Religious and spiritual beliefs of gynecologic oncologists may influence medical decision making.
Religious (R) and spiritual (S) beliefs often affect patients' health care decisions, particularly with regard to care at the end of life. Furthermore, patients desire more R/S involvement by the medical community; however, physicians typically do not incorporate R/S assessment into medical interviews with patients. The effects of physicians' R/S beliefs on willingness to participate in controversial clinical practices such as medical abortions and physician-assisted suicide has been evaluated, but how a physician's R/S beliefs may affect other medical decision-making is unclear. ⋯ Our results suggest that gynecologic oncologists' R/S beliefs may affect patient care but that most physicians fail to take an R/S history from their patients. More work needs to be done to evaluate possible barriers that prevent physicians from taking a spiritual history and engaging in discussions over these matters with patients.
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Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer · Apr 2011
Complementary and alternative medicine use among women receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in 2 patient populations.
The authors evaluated attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in 2 populations of women receiving chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). ⋯ Complementary and alternative medicine use is common in women receiving chemotherapy for EOC. Increasingly, interactions between CAM and prescribed medication are being identified. Oncologists should be aware and actively inquire about CAM use. Although patterns of CAM use differed, the motivation for starting CAM was similar, highlighting the need to address supportive care in all patients.