Advisor(s)
Nancy Borkowski
Committee Member(s)
Allyson Hall
Kristine Hearld
Soumya Niranjan
School
School of Health Professions
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Health Professions
Date of Award
1-6-2025
Degree Name by School
Executive Doctor of Science (DSc) School of Health Professions
Abstract
Integrative medicine (IM) plays an important role in cancer symptom management by providing patients with a range of non-pharmacological options to help manage the physical and emotional symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. More patients are seeking IM services due in part to a more holistic or patient-centered approach to cancer care, alleviating side effects from cancer treatments, improving quality of life, and enhancing cancer treatment effectiveness. Although the demand for IM services is increasing, there is a gap in our knowledge regarding which cancer hospitals are providing IM programs and what services are offered within these programs. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory cross-sectional study was two-fold: (1) to examine the association of the organizational characteristics and market factors between cancer hospitals that provided IM services and those that did not, and (2) to better understand what services comprised IM programs within these cancer hospitals and how these services were funded. Bivariate analysis evaluated the relationship between the dependent variable (cancer hospitals offering IM services) and the independent categorical variables. Chi-square tests were performed for categorical variables, and t-tests were used to compare means for continuous variables. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and describe survey results. Key findings showed statistically significant associations between cancer hospitals providing IM services and those that did not. A higher proportion of cancer hospitals with IM offered palliative care serves, were not-for-profit, larger (bed size 400+), teaching entities located in metropolitan areas with larger populations and higher per capita income. Survey results reflected that the most frequently offered IM services were nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Additionally, philanthropy played an essential role in providing financial support for IM services. This study emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the factors influencing the availability and accessibility of IM services in cancer care.
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Ajani, Sanober, "Association Of Hospitals’ Organizational Characteristics And Market Factors Offering Integrative Medicine Services To Adult Cancer Patients" (2025). All ETDs from UAB. 7299.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7299
