Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan CF(1), Law YL(2), Leung H(2), Chu KM (2), Leung PY(1), Mak CC(1), Fung SC(1), Ng KL(1), Chun KY(1), Choi PY(1), Wai NT(1), Chan CY(1), Chan CH(3), Wong MC(1), Lo SH(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Clinical Oncology, New Territories West Cluster, Hospital Authority, HKSAR
(2) Yan Oi Tong - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Centre for Training and Research (Tuen Mun), HKSAR
(3) Nursing Services Division, New Territories West Cluster, Hospital Authority, HKSAR
Introduction :
Conventional medicine and complementary medicine had been widely practiced concurrently in a number of countries. The Hong Kong government has further confirmed the positioning of Chinese Medicine in the development of public health care services. The Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine (ICWM) Programme has been launched since 2014. Over 300 patients under cancer palliative care had received both Western Medicine (Conventional Medicine) and Chinese Medicine (Complementary Medicine) in the Tuen Mun Hospital. The Chinese Medicine plays a complementary role in symptoms management and promoting wellness.
Objectives :
To improve patient outcome To bridge Western and Eastern models in the public health care services
To gain practical experience of ICWM for Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital
Methodology :
Patients receive both Chinese and Western medicines in the programme which aims at alleviating 7 key symptoms. Constipation and anorexia were selected for further exploration. Constipation is a common condition in which a person has fewer bowel movements, especially in cancer care. Patients suffered from constipation may likely due to poor fluid intake and side effect of pain medications which are widely used in cancer patient. In the ICWM programme, patients who received pain medications also received herbal combinations to improve fluid intake and stimulate bowel movements. The number of bowel movements increased from 0.78 in Day 1 to 1.30 in Day 5 (P<.05). The symptom scores (EORTC-QOL-Pall C-15) of constipation decreased significantly from 39.04 to 28.08 (P<.01). The loss of appetite is termed ‘anorexia’ which is a common clinical manifestation among cancer patients as well. Patients usually experienced less hunger and earlier satiety due to physiological and psychological factors. Herbal stimulants were given to patients to improve their appetite. 29 listed Chinese Medicine prescriptions were commonly used for alleviating anorexia or constipation in ICWM programme in cancer palliative care, which were subsidized by the government. Chinese Medicine Practitioners would adjust the prescriptions with over 150 single herbals in order to achieve provision of individualized treatments based on patient’s condition. The symptom scores (EORTC-QOL-Pall C-15) of anorexia decreased from 45.89 to 38.36 (P<.05).
Result & Outcome :
Using both Conventional and Complementary Medicine concurrently can maximize patient outcome. Side effects and patient’s general condition would limit the clinical efficacy of current conventional treatments. Complementary Medicine did not only assist in managing certain clinical conditions, but also alleviated side effects of conventional medicine and promoted wellness. Patients with better condition are more able to tolerate Conventional Medicine and receive greater benefit from Conventional Medicine. Nurses would closely cooperate with Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Western Medical Officers and monitor the ICWM programme.
Co-location with:
