Physicians' Knowledge and Experiences of Counseling on Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care: a Qualitative Systematic Review
Clinical Snapshot
PICO Framework
| P — Population | Physicians providing cancer care |
| I — Intervention | Counseling on complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) |
| C — Comparator | Not applicable (qualitative synthesis) |
| O — Outcomes | Knowledge, experiences, attitudes, and practices regarding CAIM counseling |
Bottom Line
This qualitative systematic review of 35 studies reveals that physicians recognize the importance of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) in holistic cancer care but face significant barriers including limited knowledge, training deficits, safety concerns, and communication challenges. Four key themes emerged: inadequate CAIM education, concerns about safety and efficacy, acknowledgment of CAIM's role in person-centered care, and difficulties in patient-physician communication about CAIM use. The findings highlight a critical gap between patient demand for CAIM information and physicians' preparedness to provide evidence-based counseling. For Australian clinicians, this underscores the need for structured CAIM education in medical training and continuing professional development, particularly given TGA regulation of complementary medicines and increasing patient interest in integrative approaches. The review supports developing standardized counseling frameworks and improving communication skills around CAIM to enhance patient-centered cancer care while maintaining safety and evidence-based practice standards.
Key Findings
Effect Size: Not applicable (qualitative synthesis)
Primary Outcome: Four key themes: limited CAIM knowledge/training; safety/efficacy concerns; recognition of CAIM's holistic role; communication challenges
Nnt Or Sensitivity: Thematic saturation achieved across 35 studies
Clinical Application
Findings support need for structured CAIM education in medical curricula and continuing professional development Relevant to Australian practice given TGA regulation of complementary medicines and RACGP position on integrative medicine; supports development of evidence-based CAIM counseling guidelines Australian oncologists, general practitioners managing cancer patients, and multidisciplinary cancer care teams
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The increasing use of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) among patients with cancer raises questions about physicians' knowledge and counseling practices in this area. This qualitative systematic review used a narrative synthesis approach to explore physicians' understanding and experiences with CAIM counseling in cancer care. RECENT FINDINGS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and AMED, supplemented by hand-searching reference lists, identified 35 eligible studies. Analysis revealed four key themes: limited knowledge and training on CAIM; concerns about CAIM safety and efficacy; recognition of CAIM's role in holistic cancer care; and challenges in patient-physician communication regarding CAIM. Physicians acknowledge the importance of CAIM in person-centered cancer care but express concerns about its safety and effectiveness, underscoring the need for improved CAIM education and training. Future research should include perspectives from medical trainees and other healthcare providers to enhance counseling practices and support integrative cancer care.
References
- 1.Ng, J. Y., Shah, A. Q., Narr, L. A., Qian, A., & Cramer, H. (2026). Physicians' Knowledge and Experiences of Counseling on Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care: a Qualitative Systematic Review. Current Oncology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.29138
Related Research
Cancer medicine
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
1 Aug 2026
Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)
User perceptions of machine learning models as decision support for colorectal cancer multidisciplinary team conferences (AID-SIM-2): a qualitative simulation study.
1 Aug 2026
Journal of breast imaging
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
30 July 2026
This content is for educational purposes for healthcare professionals only and does not constitute clinical advice. Clinical decisions should be based on individual patient assessment, current guidelines, and appropriate specialist consultation. Editorial Standards · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service