Seminar I Clinical Co-governance of improving integrative cancer care in the private sector

Cancer accounts for the highest mortality in the world with 1 out of 6 of death related to its prevalence or cancer-related complications. With the last resort, Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is the most common form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients in the United States (14.2%), China (55%) and Taiwan (64%). TCM is already widely accepted by mainland Chinese physicians due to the history, culture, and politics of the People’s Republic of China, with 98% having received TCM training. Hong Kong is a window to bridge clinical practice to the global context. Thus, the experience gained in this study must be able to advance global multi-disciplinary medical industry for recommendation. 

This talk takes top down and bottom-up approaches to discuss a model of integrative medicine in cancer care. This will help in identifying perceived gaps in the treatment and collaboration among cancer patients, their caregivers, oncologists, nurse, administrator, pharmacist, dispensary and Chinese Medicine Practitioners. The results will help guide strategies to improve patient-centered actions relating to cancer treatment and survivorship.

This was the first in depth case study to investigate the cancer care from physician and patients in Hong Kong on both industries. A patient-centered approach has been used to analyse the priorities of the care in current process of care. The success of the model could be determined by the 1) number of enrolled patients; 2) a clinical audit; 3) the liver, renal functions or blood report of cancer patients before or after this medical care; 4) patients’ satisfaction of the medical service or 5) internal staff of evaluation of the process of care.  The analysis considered of the effectiveness, safety, adverse effect, drug-related symptoms, or cost, that was explored from the key stakeholders of the medical industry in Hong Kong.  With the global trend of Integrative Medicine, this study could facilitate inter-professional communication for improving the clinical management of cancer in Chinese in the private sector.