Faculty Collaboration Database

Increasing provider awareness of and recommendations for yoga and meditation classes for cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2018 Oct;26(10):3635-3640

Date

05/08/2018

Pubmed ID

29728846

Pubmed Central ID

PMC10201947

DOI

10.1007/s00520-018-4220-3

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85046482162 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   13 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to (1) assess healthcare providers' beliefs about and referral patterns to yoga and meditation services, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of a brief yoga/meditation educational presentation to increase providers' intent to recommend these programs.

METHOD: A brief 5-min presentation regarding the benefits of yoga and meditation for cancer patients and instruction about referring and enrolling patients was delivered in four different oncology settings: breast, gynecologic, radiation, and surgical. Healthcare provider participants filled out pre- and post-surveys assessing knowledge and attitudes surrounding yoga and meditation classes.

RESULTS: A total of 40 healthcare providers were surveyed, consisting of 18 physicians, 12 nurses, six nurse practitioners, two physician assistants, one pharmacist, and one clinical researcher. Of these 40 healthcare providers, 43% were unaware at baseline that yoga and meditation classes were offered through the cancer center and 55% responded that they rarely or never recommend yoga or meditation for patients. Following a brief presentation about the benefits of yoga and meditation for cancer patients, 90% of providers stated they would be more likely to recommend these services to patients in the future. There was a significant (p < 0.01) increase in providers from pre- to post-presentation (65 to 85%) stating they strongly believe yoga and meditation can provide physical or emotional benefits for their patients.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: These data demonstrate that a brief educational intervention about yoga and meditation for cancer patients is effective at significantly increasing provider knowledge about the benefits of these therapeutic modalities, with a majority indicating they are more likely to recommend these services in the future. Increasing provider awareness regarding the health-promoting benefits of such supportive services for cancer patients could result in greater service utilization as well as physical and emotional benefits for patients.

Author List

Koula MJ, Knight JM

Author

Jennifer M. Knight MD, MS Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Awareness
Complementary Therapies
Counseling
Education, Professional
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Personnel
Humans
Male
Meditation
Middle Aged
Neoplasms
Nurse Practitioners
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Referral and Consultation
Surveys and Questionnaires
Yoga