CLINICAL RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
FRIDAY, 5:45-6:30 PM
Balneaves LG, Ohlen J, Bottorff JL, Brazier A.
CAM decision-making by individuals living with cancer:
the role of social networks.
UBC School of Nursing balneaves@nursing.ubc.ca
BACKGROUND: Decision-making research in the
context of CAM and cancer care has focused primarily on cancer patients'
experiences. Research is needed that examines the social context in
which these treatment decisions occur, specifically the influence of
family members and significant others in the decision-making process.
PURPOSE: To examine how social networks, including
family members and significant others, become involved and impact the
CAM decision-making process of people living with cancer.
METHODS: This qualitative study involved 28
family members and significant others who were identified by breast
and prostate cancer patients as being involved in their CAM decision-making
process. In-depth interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim.
Thematic and open coding was initially conducted, followed by a constant
comparison of the data.
RESULTS: Family members and significant others
were found to take on a variety of different roles in supporting cancer
patients' decisions about CAM, including being an "interested bystander",
"collaborator", "information gatherer", "advisor/director",
or "active listener". How involved each patient's social network
was in CAM decisions was based on several factors, such as attitudes
towards CAM, the CAM resources available, and the nature of the relationships
in the social network. Social networks were found to influence patients'
CAM decisions by "creating safety", "pushing to use",
"putting on the breaks", or "making the decision".
CONCLUSION: Social networks play a central role
in cancer patients' decisions about CAM. Supporting not only the patient,
but also family members and significant others, in accessing credible
and evidence-based information about CAM is essential to ensure informed
and safe decisions about CAM.
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