Spring 2010, Vol. 5 Issue 1

Patient Education at International CAM Research Meeting

Panelists respond to audience questions.
L-R Lorianne Classen, Anne M. Doherty-Gilman
and K. Simon Yeung

Patient education took center stage as one of only five symposium topics selected for the International Congress on Complementary Medicine Research, which took place May 19-21, 2010, in Tromsø, Norway. The 90-minute symposium was designed to identify best practices in developing cancer patient education materials on the topic of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

The “What are Best Practices in Developing Cancer CAM Patient Education Materials?” symposium gathered subject matter experts from three of the top National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Centers in the United States. Symposium panelists included:

• Lorianne Classen, M.P.H., CHES; Senior Health Education Specialist, Patient Education Office, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/departments-programs-and-labs/programs-centers-institutes/integrative-medicine-program/index.html);
• K. Simon Yeung, M.B.A., PharmD, LAc., "AboutHerbs" Web Site Manager, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm); and
• Anne M. Doherty-Gilman, M.P.H., Associate Director, Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/support/
  zakim/default.html).

During the first portion of the symposium, the panelists shared their respective institutions’ definition of patient education and presented several examples of high-quality materials they developed. Read More…

NCI CAM News is produced by the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM). The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) was established in October 1998 to coordinate and support the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) activities related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). OCCAM also serves as a focal point for NCI’s collaboration with other governmental and non-governmental organizations on cancer CAM issues.

For inquiries on CAM and cancer, call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit cam.cancer.gov.