Implementation of a Complementary and Integrative Medicine Service on a Palliative Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Center in Switzerland.

Background: Complementary therapies are gaining interest in palliative care. This study investigated the implementation of a complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) service on a palliative care unit of a Tertiary Care Center in Switzerland. Aim: This study aims to explore how health care profes...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Palliative Medicine Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 619 - 626
Autores principales: Werner, Kathrin, Feuz, Markus, Theile, Gudrun, Hertler, Caroline, Blum, David, Schettle, Markus
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. May2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=194208349&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 194208349
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        10966218
        C1U
      jtl: Journal of Palliative Medicine
      issn: 10966218
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: May2026
      vid: 29
      iid: 5
      pid: 1365
      pub: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
      place: New Rochelle, New York
    artinfo:
      ui:
        194208349
        194208349
        194208349
        10.1177/10966218251413991
        194208349
      ppf: 619
      ppct: 7
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Implementation of a Complementary and Integrative Medicine Service on a Palliative Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Center in Switzerland.
      aug:
        au:
          Werner, Kathrin
          Feuz, Markus
          Theile, Gudrun
          Hertler, Caroline
          Blum, David
          Schettle, Markus
        affil: University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
      sug:
        subj:
          Integrative Medicine
          Alternative Therapies
          Palliative Care
          Tertiary Health Care Switzerland
          Attitude of Health Personnel Evaluation
          Family Attitudes Evaluation
          Patient Attitudes Evaluation
          Health Services Administration
          Implementation Science
          Switzerland
          Funding Source
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Academic Medical Centers
          Qualitative Studies
          Stakeholder Participation
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Interview Guides
          Content Analysis
          Diffusion of Innovation
          Health Services Accessibility
          Quality of Life
          Quality Assurance
          Patient Safety
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Complementary therapies are gaining interest in palliative care. This study investigated the implementation of a complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) service on a palliative care unit of a Tertiary Care Center in Switzerland. Aim: This study aims to explore how health care professionals, patients, and family members perceive complementary medicine in specialized palliative care, identify related challenges and opportunities, and develop strategies for their effective and sustainable implementation into routine practice. Methods: In a first step, to check acceptability, in 2016, an interview study was carried out by conducting qualitative interviews with nurses, physicians and patients, and their relatives. In a second step, based on the results of the structured interviews, CIM experts developed complementary nursing interventions followed by an educational program and establishing CIM service on the ward. Results: Eight nurses, six doctors, four patients, and three relatives were interviewed. The interviews revealed a generally positive attitude among all stakeholders with high acceptability. Key challenges faced by medical staff included time management, training needs, and interdisciplinary communication. Patients and relatives emphasized the need for CIM to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and enhance confidence in integrated care. The developed nursing interventions include selected measures (wraps/compresses and rhythmic embrocations) targeting common symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, and respiratory distress. To ensure quality control and sustainability, the concept also features an organizational framework, regular specialist training, and a detailed manual and accessible videos, along with guidelines for documentation and quality assurance. Conclusion: Medical professionals, patients, and relatives viewed the implementation of complementary nursing interventions as beneficial for enhancing symptom management in palliative care. Establishing appropriate framework conditions based on current implementation research is essential, and further research on effectiveness and long-term implementation is needed.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N