Wishes and beliefs of cancer patients regarding counseling on integrative medicine.

BACKGROUND Today there is an agreement on how patients should be counseled regarding integrative medicine in oncology. In order to better meet the patients' demands, we investigated additional beliefs and wishes related to these topics. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients in 2 locations were asked to complete an assessment form regarding their wishes in relation to counseling on integrative medicine. RESULTS Based on 404 returned assessment forms, we found that most patients wished to be counseled on integrative medicine by oncologists but also wanted to be treated by them with such methods. Oncologists received the best ratings regarding credibility, oncological competence, sympathy for patients, and honesty. Only with regard to time for patients did health practitioners receive better ratings. Physical exercise, balanced diets, and psycho-oncological support were the methods mainly recommended by physicians. Health practitioners mainly recommended taking mistletoe extracts, trace elements, and immunostimulants. CONCLUSION It may be hypothesized from this work that the physicians' leading role in promoting integrative medicine in the field of oncology - which contrasts with findings in other countries - is perhaps based on the patients' desire to be treated and counseled by physicians, especially oncologists.