Introduction
Method
Design
Participants and setting
Data collection
Data analysis
Results
Participants’ characteristics
Characteristic | No. (SD) |
---|---|
Mean age | 55.42 (± 7.11) |
Time since diagnosed (year) | 3.92 (± 2.53) |
Stage | |
Early stage | |
I | 7 |
II | 5 |
Late stage | |
III | 1 |
IV | 6 |
The class of hospital for TCM consulted | |
Regional | 2 |
District | 17 |
The intention of TCM utilization for BCPs
Categories | Subcategories | Codes | Frequency of early-stage BCPsa | Frequency of late-stage BCPsa |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mental feelings of BCPs after cancer diagnosis | Negative mental impact | Cannot accept the diagnosis | 8 | 4 |
Shocked | 9 | 6 | ||
Sad or tearful | 6 | 3 | ||
Scared or upset | 3 | 3 | ||
Thought she was healthy | 3 | 1 | ||
Thought about the follow-up arrangements | 1 | 3 | ||
Facing it positively | Did not be nervous or worried | 7 | 3 | |
Did not think it was an illness | 2 | 0 | ||
Soul had sustenance | 1 | 1 | ||
Peaceful coexistence | 2 | 1 | ||
Accepted it and faced it | 3 | 4 | ||
Hoped to live on | 1 | 4 | ||
The influence factors of BCPs starting to use TCM | Push force of using TCM | Suffering from side effects | 4 | 10 |
Worried about the treatment of WM | 1 | 1 | ||
Pull force of using TCM | Recommendations from family members or friends | 11 | 7 | |
Hoped to adjust her constitution | 7 | 7 | ||
Trust in TCM | 2 | 2 | ||
Based on personal experience | 2 | 1 | ||
Prevention of recurrence or metastasis | 4 | 0 | ||
WM recommendation | 1 | 0 | ||
Last resort | 1 | 0 |
Mental state of BCPs after cancer diagnosis
“At that time, it was really very upsetting, I couldn’t accept it, why did I get cancer?” (E1)
“My thought was that I could persist in (survive) or something like that, I can persist in till the end.” (A1)
Factors influencing BCPs to use TCM
“Because of the side effects of the drugs at that time, I would have itching and hives on my body.” (E11)
“I used that TCM for conditioning, and then I adjusted my mentality, … Because of the side effects of chemotherapy, there would be hot flushes and insomnia… that was emotional anxiety.” (A1)
“At the beginning of chemotherapy, many friends introduced me to visit the TCM physician and suggested I see him.” (A6)
“I am quite confident in Chinese medicine. …, I was diagnosed in May 2010, …, I have been taking traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning since then.” (E2)
“I had been worrying about whether the tumor will recur, metastasize, or I will die,… then I went to see the TCM physicians.” (E1)
The experience of BCPs in TCM care
Categories | Subcategories | Codes | Frequency of early-stage BCPsa | Frequency of late-stage BCPsa |
---|---|---|---|---|
Perceive effects and feelings of BCPs from TCM experience | Changes in physiology | Relieving side effects | 15 | 10 |
Constitution enhancement | 12 | 3 | ||
Tumor Control and Prevention | 4 | 1 | ||
Improved physiological function | 6 | 2 | ||
Improved the quality of life | 1 | 0 | ||
Reduced the dose of WM | 1 | 0 | ||
Catastrophic illness has been canceled | 2 | 0 | ||
Changes in psychological | Felt peace of mind | 9 | 3 | |
Mood was better | 1 | 0 | ||
Changes to social well-being | Improved family relationships | 1 | 0 | |
Unmet care needs | Side effects were not fully been improve | 1 | 3 | |
Communica-tion between TCM and WM | WM agreed with the use of TCM | 4 | 2 | |
WM rejected TCM use | 5 | 3 | ||
Did not inform WM physicians | 3 | 3 | ||
The expectation of BCPs to TCM care | Clinical practices of TCM | Medication Safety and Convenience | 5 | 2 |
Establish TCM consultation | 5 | 0 | ||
Long waiting time | 3 | 4 | ||
Policies of TCM | Suggestions for scientific TCM | 2 | 0 | |
Cooperation between Chinese and Western medicine | 1 | 0 | ||
Suggestions for daycare of cancer | 3 | 8 |
Perceived effects and feelings of TCM
“The biggest improvement for me from TCM is that I used to have diarrhea, … but after taking this Chinese medicine, it became normal.” (E12)
“In addition to fatigue, it was rash, diarrhea, and hand-foot syndrome. I think the acupuncture from daycare of TCM is very helpful for me.” (A2)
“After taking the Chinese medicine, it let me sleep better, and then I felt calmer.” (A1)
“I feel that Chinese medicine decoction gives me a very stable strength. …. I believe that if my mental status is healed, then my body should also be fine.” (E4)
“I think insomnia is actually very difficult to relieve …every time I told the physician: ‘I can’t sleep’, he would change the medicine and strengthen it.” (A7)
“The western physician said, ‘okay, if it helps you, just go to see TCM.” (E11)
“I already trust TCM very much, I don’t need WM to give me affirmation, so I don’t need to ask them.” (E2)
The expectations for TCM care
“The ingredients of concentrated scientific Chinese medicine is the toxicity of lead. Many people will worry about this problem.” (A1)
“There are really too many patients in the TCM physician…the time to answer my question may be a bit rushed.” (A6)
“I feel that Chinese medicine is going to develop this kind of instrument that can be digitized…that can help them make a more accurate diagnosis.” (E9)
“I think this enhanced daycare of TCM is only available in our hospital. I think it is too lack, and it really needs to be everywhere.” (E10)