In 2007, the Haifa and Western Galilee district of the CHS set out to test the feasibility of integrating complementary medicine (CM) within the CHS Oncology Service. In 2008, the CHS established the Integrative Oncology Program with the goal of addressing patient concerns and improving quality of life parameters during chemotherapy and advanced disease. The study is purposed to assess concerns, needs and perspectives of patients referred to integrative consultation during chemotherapy and/or advanced cancer; to characterize social demographic and health parameters of patients who consult or avoid integrative medicine consultation; to document complementary medicine use prior and during consultation; to assess if complementary medicine consultation and treatment improve patient's concerns and well-being; and to assess oncology provider and integrative practitioner communications issues concerning integrative care.
In 2007, the Haifa and Western Galilee district of the CHS set out to test the feasibility of integrating complementary medicine (CM) within the CHS Oncology Service. In 2008, the CHS established the Integrative Oncology Program with the goal of addressing patient concerns and improving quality of life parameters during chemotherapy and advanced disease. The study hypothesis is that integrated medicine consultation and treatment provided within the oncology department may improve patients' concerns and well-being.