Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) providers are of increasing importance to people using health care in the United States. This project will further define the relationship between cancer patients, CAM practitioners, and conventional providers in the care for patients with cancer. Patients with cancer have been shown to use naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists, and massage therapists with greater frequency than people without cancer. Use of chiropractic has also been shown to be high in groups of patients with musculoskeletal discomfort, including cancer patients. The lack of insurance coverage for CAM treatment has made it difficult to study people's preference for CAM treatment compared to conventional treatments . which are generally covered by insurance. In Washington State, private commercial insurance companies cover the medical services of all categories of licensed providers, including CAM providers. This study will identify bona fide cancer cases though a match with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Cancer Surveillance System. By linking to claims data, the use of CAM can be correlated to the cancer stage to understand more about the costs, benefits and potential harms of CAM treatments. This study will increase the understanding of the role CAM should play in providing supportive care for cancer patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AT003270-02
Application #
7125613
Study Section
Health Services Organization and Delivery Study Section (HSOD)
Program Officer
Nahin, Richard
Project Start
2005-09-30
Project End
2008-09-29
Budget Start
2006-09-30
Budget End
2007-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$259,961
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Devlin, Sean M; Diehr, Paula H; Andersen, M Robyn et al. (2010) Identification of ovarian cancer symptoms in health insurance claims data. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 19:381-9
Lafferty, William E; Tyree, Patrick T; Devlin, Sean M et al. (2008) Complementary and alternative medicine provider use and expenditures by cancer treatment phase. Am J Manag Care 14:326-34