Translation and adaptation of an international questionnaire to measure usage of complementary and alternative medicine (I-CAM-G)

BACKGROUND: The growing body of data on prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage means there is a need to standardize measurement on an international level. An international team has published a questionnaire0020 (I-CAM-Q), but no validation has yet been provided. The aim of the present study was to provide a German measurement instrument for CAM usage (I-CAM-G) which closely resembles the original English version, and to assess it's performance in two potential samples for measuring CAM usage. METHODS: The English I-CAM-Q questionnaire was translated into German, and adapted slightly. The resulting I-CAM-G questionnaire was then pre-tested on N=16 healthy volunteers, and 12 cognitive interviews were carried out. The questionnaire was employed in a sample of breast cancer patients (N=92, paper and pencil), and a sample from the general population (N=210, internet survey). Descriptive analyses of items and missing data, as well as results from the cognitive interviews, are presented in this paper. RESULTS: The translated questionnaire had to be adapted to be consistent with the German health care system. All items were comprehensible, whereby some items were unambiguous (e.g. CAM use yes/no, helpfulness), while others gave rise to ambiguous answers (e.g. reasons for CAM use), or high rates of missing data (e.g. number of times the CAM modality had been used during the last 3 months). 78% of the breast cancer patients and up to 85% of a sample of the general population had used some form of CAM. CONCLUSIONS: Following methodologically sound and comprehensive translation, adaptation and assessment processes using recognized translation procedures, cognitive interviews, and studying the performance of the questionnaire in two samples, we arrived at a German questionnaire for measuring CAM use which is comparable with the international (English) version. The questionnaire appropriately measures CAM use, with some items being more appropriate than others. We recommend the development of a short version

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients : a four-arm randomized trial on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture

Purpose. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and dose-limiting side effect of cytostatic drugs. Since there are no proven therapeutic procedures against CIPN, we were interested to define the role of electroacupuncture (EA) from which preliminary data showed promising results. Methods. In a randomized trial with a group sequential adaptive design in patients with CIPN, we compared EA (LV3, SP9, GB41, GB34, LI4, LI11, SI3, and HT3; n=14) with hydroelectric baths (HB, n=14), vitamin B1/B6 capsules (300/300 mg daily; VitB, n=15), and placebo capsules (n=17). The statistical power in this trial was primarily calculated for proving EA only, so results of HB and VitB are pilot data. Results. CIPN complaints improved by 0.8 +- 1.2 (EA), 1.7 +- 1.7 (HB), 1.6 +- 2.0 (VitB), and 1.3 +- 1.3 points (placebo) on a 10-point numeric rating scale without significant difference between treatment groups or placebo. In addition no significant differences in sensory nerve conduction studies or quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) were found. Conclusions. The used EA concept, HB, and VitB were not superior to placebo. Since, contrary to our results, studies with different acupuncture concepts showed a positive effect on CIPN, the effect of acupuncture on CIPN remains unclear. Further randomized, placebo controlled studies seem necessary. This trial is registered with DRKS00004448

Measuring the effects of acupuncture and homoeopathy in general practice: An uncontrolled prospective documentation approach

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing demand for acupuncture and homoeopathy in Germany, little is known about the effects of these treatments in routine care. We set up a pragmatic documentation study in general practice funded within the scope of project launched by a German health insurer. Patients were followed-up for up to four years. METHODS: The aim of the project was to study the effects and benefits of acupuncture and/or homoeopathy, and to assess patient satisfaction within a prospective documentation of over 5000 acupuncture and over 900 homoeopathy patients. As data sources, we used the documentation made available by therapists on every individual visit and a standardised quality-of-life questionnaire (MOS SF-36); these were complemented by questions concerning the patient's medical history and by questions on patient satisfaction. The health insurer provided us with data on work absenteeism. RESULTS: Descriptive analyses of the main outcomes showed benefit of treatment with middle to large-sized effects for the quality of life questionnaire SF-36 and about 1 point improvement on a rating scale of effects, given by doctors. Data on the treatment and the patients' and physicians' background suggests chronically ill patients treated by fairly regular schemes. CONCLUSION: Since the results showed evidence of a subjective benefit for patients from acupuncture and homoeopathy, this may account for the increase in demand for these treatments especially when patients are chronically ill and unsatisfied with the conventional treatment given previously

Review: Udo Kuckartz, Thorsten Dresing, Stefan Rädiker & Claus Stefer (2008). Qualitative Evaluation

Das Buch "Qualitative Evaluation" zeigt Schritt für Schritt die Vorgehensweise und stellt damit in sehr anwendungsorientierter Form das Handwerkszeug für eine qualitative Evaluation zur Verfügung. So werden Lesende in die Lage versetzt, eine solche Evaluation auch bei geringen Vorkenntnissen durchzuführen, wobei damit das Risiko verbunden sein kann, dass bei der Interpretation der Befunde wichtige Voraussetzungen für das Gelingen einer qualitativen Studie wie Verwurzelung der Interpretation im tatsächlich aufgezeichneten Text vernachlässigt werden. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs1101149Este libro brinda una guía paso a paso sobre cómo emprender un proyecto de evaluación cualitativa, permitiendo al investigador aplicar los métodos y herramientas descritos. El propósito es que el lector sea capaz posteriormente de llevar a cabo una evaluación cualitativa independiente de cualquier otra experiencia de investigación relevante. Sin embargo, al depender solamente de esta guía el lector corre el riesgo de subestimar los principios más importantes de la investigación cualitativa-como fundamentar la interpretación en el corpus del texto. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs1101149This book provides a step-by-step guide on how to undertake a qualitative evaluation project, allowing the researcher to apply the methods and tools described. The purpose is for the reader to subsequently be able to undertake a qualitative evaluation irrespective of any significant research experience. However, relying solely on this guide the reader runs the risk of underrating significant qualitative research principles—such as grounding the interpretation in the text corpus. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs110114

[Rezension:] Udo Kuckartz, Thorsten Dresing, Stefan Rädiker & Claus Stefer (2008). Qualitative Evaluation. Der Einstieg in die Praxis (2. Auflage). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften; 115 Seiten; ISBN: 978-3-531-15903-4, 14,95€

Das Buch "Qualitative Evaluation" zeigt Schritt für Schritt die Vorgehensweise und stellt damit in sehr anwendungsorientierter Form das Handwerkszeug für eine qualitative Evaluation zur Verfügung. So werden Lesende in die Lage versetzt, eine solche Evaluation auch bei geringen Vorkenntnissen durchzuführen, wobei damit das Risiko verbunden sein kann, dass bei der Interpretation der Befunde wichtige Voraussetzungen für das Gelingen einer qualitativen Studie wie Verwurzelung der Interpretation im tatsächlich aufgezeichneten Text vernachlässigt werden.This book provides a step-by-step guide on how to undertake a qualitative evaluation project, allowing the researcher to apply the methods and tools described. The purpose is for the reader to subsequently be able to undertake a qualitative evaluation irrespective of any significant research experience. However, relying solely on this guide the reader runs the risk of underrating significant qualitative research principles—such as grounding the interpretation in the text corpus

Review: Udo Kuckartz, Thorsten Dresing, Stefan Rädiker & Claus Stefer (2008). Qualitative Evaluation

Das Buch "Qualitative Evaluation" zeigt Schritt für Schritt die Vorgehensweise und stellt damit in sehr anwendungsorientierter Form das Handwerkszeug für eine qualitative Evaluation zur Verfügung. So werden Lesende in die Lage versetzt, eine solche Evaluation auch bei geringen Vorkenntnissen durchzuführen, wobei damit das Risiko verbunden sein kann, dass bei der Interpretation der Befunde wichtige Voraussetzungen für das Gelingen einer qualitativen Studie wie Verwurzelung der Interpretation im tatsächlich aufgezeichneten Text vernachlässigt werden.This book provides a step-by-step guide on how to undertake a qualitative evaluation project, allowing the researcher to apply the methods and tools described. The purpose is for the reader to subsequently be able to undertake a qualitative evaluation irrespective of any significant research experience. However, relying solely on this guide the reader runs the risk of underrating significant qualitative research principles—such as grounding the interpretation in the text corpus.Este libro brinda una guía paso a paso sobre cómo emprender un proyecto de evaluación cualitativa, permitiendo al investigador aplicar los métodos y herramientas descritos. El propósito es que el lector sea capaz posteriormente de llevar a cabo una evaluación cualitativa independiente de cualquier otra experiencia de investigación relevante. Sin embargo, al depender solamente de esta guía el lector corre el riesgo de subestimar los principios más importantes de la investigación cualitativa-como fundamentar la interpretación en el corpus del texto

Review: Udo Kuckartz, Thorsten Dresing, Stefan Rädiker & Claus Stefer (2008). Qualitative Evaluation

This book provides a step-by-step guide on how to undertake a qualitative evaluation project, allowing the researcher to apply the methods and tools described. The purpose is for the reader to subsequently be able to undertake a qualitative evaluation irrespective of any significant research experience. However, relying solely on this guide the reader runs the risk of underrating significant qualitative research principles—such as grounding the interpretation in the text corpus. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs110114

Information and training needs regarding complementary and alternative medicine : a cross-sectional study of cancer care providers in Germany

Background: Among cancer care providers (CCPs), lack of knowledge constitutes an important barrier to the discussion of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use with patients. This study assessed CCPs’ needs and preferences regarding CAM information and training (I&T). Methods: An online survey was completed by 209 general practitioners, 437 medical specialists, 159 oncology nurses and medical assistants, and 244 psychologists and social workers engaged in cancer care. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify subgroups of individuals with distinct preference patterns regarding I&T content. Results: CCPs prefer CAM I&T to be provided as lectures, information platforms on the internet, workshops, and e-mail newsletters. Concerning subject matters, many CCPs considered CAM therapy options for the treatment of a variety of cancer disease- and therapy-related symptoms to be very important (75%-72% of the sample); the same applies to an "overview of different CAM therapies" (74%). LCA identified 5 latent classes (LCs) of CCPs. All of them attached considerable importance to "medical indication," "potential side effects," and "tips for usage." LCs differed, however, in terms of overall importance ratings, the perceived importance of "patients’ reasons" for using specific CAM therapies, "case examples," and "scientific evidence." Notably, the 5 LCs were clearly present in all 4 occupational groups. Conclusions: CAM I&T should provide CCPs with an overview of different CAM therapies and show how CAM might help in treating symptoms cancer patients frequently demonstrate (eg, fatigue). Moreover, I&T programs should be flexible and take into account that individual information needs vary even within the same occupational group

The readiness of German GPs to recommend and conduct cancer screening is associated with patient–physician gender concordance. Results of a survey

Background: Cancer screening participation rates in Germany differ depending on patients’ gender. International studies have found that patient–physician gender concordance fosters recommendation and conducting of cancer screening, and especially cancer screening for women. Objectives: We aimed to ascertain whether gender concordance influences general practitioners' (GPs’) rating of the usefulness of cancer screening, as well as their recommendations and readiness to conduct cancer screening in general practice in Germany. Methods: For an exploratory cross-sectional survey, 500 randomly selected GPs from all over Germany were asked to fill in a questionnaire on cancer screening in general practice between March and June 2015. We asked them to rate the usefulness of each cancer screening examination, how frequently they recommended and conducted them and whether they viewed GPs or specialists as responsible for carrying them out. We used multiple logistic regression to analyse gender effect size by calculating odds ratios. Results: Our study sample consisted of 139 GPs of which 65% were male. Male and female GPs did not differ significantly in their rating of the general usefulness of any of the specified cancer screening examinations. Male GPs were 2.9 to 6.8 times as likely to consider GPs responsible for recommending and conducting PSA testing and digital rectal examinations and were 3.7 to 7.9 times as likely to recommend and conduct these examinations on a regular basis. Conclusion: Patient–physician gender concordance made it more likely that male-specific cancer screenings would be recommended and conducted, but not female-specific screenings. KEY MESSAGES Male GPs are more likely than female GPs to view GPs as responsible for recommending and conducting male-specific cancer screening. Men consult urologists less frequently than women consult gynaecologists, so male GPs seem to take on the role of ‘doctor for men’