Health-care providers’ perception and communication about traditional and complementary medicine in childhood cancer in Indonesia

• DOI: 10.1016/j.phoj.2022.01.003
• Publication Date: 2022-01-22T10:33:52Z
• Authors: Krisna Handayani; Dwi Susilawati; Sutaryo; Sri Mulatsih; Gertjan JL. Kaspers; Saskia Mostert; M.N. Sitaresmi
• Keywords: Childhood Cancer; Abandonment (legal)

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) usage in childhood cancer is common. Effective communication about T&CM a keystone successful treatment to prevent abandonment of conventional treatment. This study explored health-care providers' (HCP) perception care. A cross-sectional at an Indonesian academic hospital using semi-structured questionnaires. Altogether,175 HCP (response rate 83%) participated. Only 2% describe their view on as positive. Most (90%) think that patients use T&CM. Main concerns are: giving false hope vulnerable (88%), lack evidence works (87%), own limited knowledge (80%). Significantly more doctors (88%) than other (69%) are concerned doctor's inadequate (P = 0.006). Almost all (96%) parents should receive guidance by potential beneficial harmful effects (91%) find it important inform them if child with uses Yet, only 5% always ask whether they afraid disclose (78%) subsequently do not (76%) out fear less care from (55%). Parents actually interest according 31% HCP. update Doctors openly discuss parents, without penalizing after disclosure.