Graduation Year
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Anthropology
Major Professor
Tara Deubel, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Katherine Drabiak, JD
Committee Member
Daniel Lende, Ph.D.
Keywords
Anthropology, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Health Policy, Integrative Medicine, Oncology
Abstract
Objective:
From a patient-centered perspective, this study sought to explore cancer patient experiences using integrative health techniques, while undergoing or after having completed conventional cancer therapy.
Methods:
Recruitment and data collection both occurred within the Supportive Care Medicine Department of a comprehensive cancer center in the southeastern United States. The primary collection method was semi-structured interviews, of which 13 were conducted.
Results:
Patients using integrative therapies experienced a variety of physical and mental/emotional benefits from their chosen therapy, such as management of lymphedema and nerve damage, increased mobility, and improved self-confidence.
Conclusion:
Integrative therapies can provide many benefits to patients in mitigating treatment side effects and other cancer related symptoms. CAM practitioners themselves played an important role in post-treatment cancer support; both by acting as a health educator and by administrating the therapy itself.
Scholar Commons Citation
Bockover, Spencer R., "Cancer Patient Experience Using Integrative Health Techniques" (2018). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/7477
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons
