The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence, importance, and challenges of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization in Texas hospices. Mail surveys were sent to 369 hospices in Texas, and 110 useful surveys were returned. Results showed that a majority (n = 62, 56.4%) of hospices offer CAM to their clients, with the most popularly offered CAMs being massage, music, and relaxation therapies. Despite the availability of CAM services in most hospices, and that the utilization of CAM has the potential to improve overall quality of life of patients, our results showed that a sizeable proportion of patients in these hospices are not utilizing the provided CAMs. Funding and personnel constraints were substantial obstacles to offering CAM.
RunningAShreffler-GrantJAndrewsW. A survey of hospices use of complementary therapy. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 2008;10(5):304–312.
2.
BarnesPMBloomBNahinRL.Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007. Natl Health Stat Report. 2008;(12):1–23.
3.
DemmerC. A survey of complementary therapy services provided by hospices. J Palliat Med. 2004;7(4):510–516.
4.
KozakLEKayesLMcCartyR. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by Washington State hospices. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2009;25(6):463–468.
5.
EisenbergDMDavisRBEttnerSL. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1569–1575.
6.
EisenbergDMKesslerRCFosterCNorlockFECalkinsDRDelbancoTL. Unconventional medicine in the United States. Prevalence, costs, and patterns of use. N Engl J Med. 1993;328(4):246–252.
7.
BercovitzASenguptaMJonesAHarris-KojetinLD. Complementary and Alternative Therapies in hospices: The National Home and Hospice Care Survey: United States, 2007. Natl Health Stat Rep. 2011; 33:1–20.
AstinJA. Why patients use alternative medicine: results of a national study. JAMA. 1998;279(19):1548–1553.
10.
AstinJAMarieAPelletierKRHansenEHaskellWL. A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(21):2303–2310.
duPreezAESmithMALiouJ. Predictors of hospice utilization among acute stroke patients who died within thirty days. J Palliat Med. 2008;11(9):1249–1257.
17.
StevensonDGHuskampHAGrabowskiDCKeatingNL. Differences in hospice care between home and institutional settings. J Palliat Med. 2007;10(5):1040–1047.
18.
HillJMF. Factors associated with hospice use after referral. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 2008;10(4):240–252.
19.
OsakaIKuriharaYTanakaKNishizakiHAokiSAdachiI. Attitudes toward and current practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Japanese palliative care units. J Palliat Med. 2009;12(3):239–244.
20.
MilliganMFanningMHunterSTadjaliMStevensE. Reflexology audit: patient satisfaction, impact on quality of life and availability in Scottish hospices. Int J Palliat Nurs. 2002;8(10):489–496.
21.
DemmerCSauerJ. Assessing complementary therapy services in a hospice program. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2002;19(5):306–314.
22.
Van HoutvenCHTaylorDHJrSteinhauserKTulskyJA. Is a home-care network necessary to access the Medicare hospice benefit?J Palliat Med. 2009;12(8):687–694.
23.
HoyerT. A history of the Medicare hospice benefit. Hosp J. 1998;13(1-2):61–69.
24.
WilsonSA. Hospice and Medicare benefits: overview, issues, and implications. J Holist Nurs. 1993;11(4):356–367.
25.
WolskoPMEisenbergDMDavisRBEttnerSLPhillipsRS. Insurance coverage, medical conditions, and visits to alternative medicine providers: results of a national survey. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162(3):281–287.
26.
JangYChiribogaDAAllenJYKwakJHaleyWE. Willingness of older Korean-American adults to use hospice. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010;58(2):352–356.
