Scenario:
To read the scenario, navigate to the end of Chapter 13, “Global Use of Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches” in your textbook (Global Health Care: Issues and Policies). Then, review Case Study #4: Qi Therapy Used to Relieve Symptoms of Cancer in a Terminally Ill Cancer Patient (see below). You do not need to answer the questions listed in the textbook but instead should proceed to the following prompt.
Additionally, read the following article: Assessing the Relative Effectiveness of Combining Self-Care with Practitioner-Delivered Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies to Improve Pain in a Pragmatic Trial. This article explores real-world evidence about the value of combining self-care and practitioner-delivered CIH therapies.
Prompt
Apply your disciplinary perspective to evaluate the intervention strategies implied by the case. In other words, your task is to defend your professional viewpoint regarding the most effective interventions. Then, in your responses, you will work as a group to refine those initial assessments.
Illustrate the use of complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches to address the health challenges in the case. To what extent is qi therapy effective in curing cancer? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Describe the influence of politics, economics, culture, and religion on the use of the CIH approach described in the case. To what extent does the political, economic, or cultural context impact the effectiveness of CIH approaches like qi therapy? In other words, when, why, and how would you recommend using CIH approaches? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Case Study 4: Qi Therapy Used to Relieve Symptoms of Cancer in a Terminally Ill Cancer Patient
Jane suffered from late-stage ovarian cancer and was experiencing unbearable abdominal discomfort and pain, depression, and fatigue. Four sessions of qi therapy on alternate days were given to Jane over a seven-day period. After 20 minutes of qi therapy, she experienced improvements in mood and alertness, and a reduction in pain, anxiety, depression, discomfort, and fatigue, on both the first and last days of the interventions. Furthermore, the scores recorded on the last day for most symptoms were improved relative to those recorded on the first day. Although the result of this case study does not constitute conclusive evidence, the data suggest that qi therapy may have some beneficial effects on some symptoms of cancer.
