| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3814260 | Patient Education and Counseling | 2012 | 4 Pages |
ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the meaning and practical implications of integration of a complementary medicine-based surgery service in a hospital setting (CISS – Complementary/Integrative Surgery Service) through analysis of consultation reports associated with this service.MethodsThematic analysis was used to evaluate CISS consultation reports in a hospital electronic consultant charting system during the first half year of the service's activity.Results304 consultation reports were analyzed. Nurses initiated significantly more consultations than physicians (55% vs 7%). Consultation requests were gradually more focused on specific symptoms, possibly manifesting a better understanding of the scope of complementary medicine in the surgery setting. CISS practitioners responded in more biomedical language over time, albeit offering a more holistic perspective regarding patients’ needs as well as clarifications regarding the nature of the treatment they provided.ConclusionsDiverse communication patterns in consultations evolved over time representing dynamics in multiple levels of integration of the CISS.Practice implicationsDocumented communication through consultations can provide a window to the process of integration of complementary medicine-based services in health systems.
