Adult outpatient chemotherapy patients' attitudes and preferences towards complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) and the physical environment of treatment

The purpose of the practice improvement project was to examine the attitudes and preferences of adult outpatient chemotherapy patients towards complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) in a rural northern Minnesota clinic. The project also examined outpatient chemotherapy patients' attitudes and preferences towards the aesthetics of the physical environment of treatment. Research examining patient preferences regarding space, lighting, media, color, and privacy in the outpatient chemotherapy setting does not exist.;The design of the project was a typical descriptive study. Adult outpatient chemotherapy patients in a rural Minnesota clinic were asked to complete a survey about their attitudes and preferences towards CAM and the physical environment of the outpatient chemotherapy setting. Of the 28 eligible participants, 13 completed the survey for a response rate of 46.83%. According to the survey, chemotherapy patients are willing to discuss CAM with their primary providers and would use CAM if their primary providers approved and felt the chosen therapy was safe. The most common modalities currently used by survey participants were prayer (n=7), herbs or supplements (n=6), and meditation (n=3). According to the survey data, the most important issue in the treatment setting according to the respondents was the importance of having enough space for family or significant others during chemotherapy treatments.;Recommendations for future research included expanding the survey to include numerous rural sites, and collecting data over a longer period of time to increase sample size for group comparisons. Implications for advanced nursing practice included taking advantage of educational opportunities and opening discussions with patients about CAM. Suggestions for practice improvement and implementation of CAM therapies were offered. Nurse practitioners need to form relationships with CAM providers, take advantage of professional organizations, and seek out learning opportunities to become of aware of treatment options and appropriate interventions for outpatient chemotherapy patients. Knowledge about CAM and patient preferences and attitudes has helped nurse practitioners in the rural Minnesota facility discuss CAM with their patients, and work with nursing staff to find options for safe, holistic, integrated patient care.