Current state of cancer patient care incorporating Thai traditional medicine in Thailand: A qualitative study |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Changhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China;2. Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA;3. Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA;4. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China;5. Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA;6. Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA;7. Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA;8. Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA;1. Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia;2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;3. Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Jalan Perbandaran, 47301 Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia;1. National Cancer Institute Rama VI road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;2. Cancer Surveillance Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France;1. Northern Thai Research Group of Radiation Oncology (NTRG-RO), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand;2. Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand;3. Chiang Mai Cancer Registry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand;4. Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France;5. Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada;6. Cancer Registry Unit, Lampang Cancer Hospital, Lampang, Thailand;1. Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Bangkok 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand;2. Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Mueang Nonthaburi 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand;1. Faculty of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ubonratchathani Rajabhat University, Meung, Ubonratchathani 34000, Thailand;2. Faculty of Nursing, Ubonratchathani Rajabhat University, Meung, Ubonratchathani 34000, Thailand |
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| Abstract: | ObjectiveTo assess the current state of cancer treatment incorporating Thai traditional medicine (TTM) and to identify problems in the system, by using the health system framework of the World Health Organization.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted by interviewing three groups of people involved in the healthcare system. The groups were constructed via purposive sampling of patients with cancer, caregivers and service providers. The study groups included 37 individuals from five TTM hospitals. In-depth interviews were conducted from October 2017 to March 2018. The interview questions were developed based on the six building blocks of a health system framework. Free form answers from participants were analyzed and interpreted to develop the study conclusions.ResultsAll five TTM hospitals provided treatment to patients with cancer based on provincial public health policy. The policy allows patients with cancer to obtain TTM services in outpatient and inpatient departments and via home visits; most patients used outpatient services. The TTM services were primarily provided by TTM practitioners and included massage, herbal steam, herbal compress and meditation. Herbal medicines were widely used and included Benja-amarit, an anticancer formulation made from Wat Khampramong and Phytoplex. The problems included poor acceptance of TTM practitioners by other healthcare practitioners, lack of experience among TTM practitioners in treating patients with cancer, lack of herbal medicine research trials, contamination in herbal medicine preparations and absence of practical treatment guidelines.ConclusionTTM is an alternative treatment modality for patients with cancer and is supported by a national policy in Thailand. To increase accountability to patients and other practitioners, TTM treatments should be refined to rely on scientific principles and practitioners of TTM should receive academic training. Practical treatment guidelines need to be established and thoroughly disseminated to TTM practitioners. |
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| Keywords: | Cancer Hospital Qualitative research Traditional medicine Patient care |
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