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Elsevier, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 4(16), p. 222-228

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.03.001

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The integration of healing into conventional cancer care in the UK

Journal article published in 2010 by Ava Lorenc ORCID, Brenda Peace, Chandrika Vaghela, Nicola Robinson
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

Healing encompasses Reiki, therapeutic touch and healing touch, and is often used by cancer patients to supplement their health care, but the extent of healing provision in conventional cancer care is unknown. This study used snowball sampling to map the healing provision in UK conventional cancer care settings. Sixty-seven individuals at 38 centres were identified who provided healing within conventional care, 16 NHS-based. Less than half were paid or had specialist cancer training. Self-referral was the usual route to healing, followed by hospital nurse referral. Healing was perceived as well accepted and useful by healers. Providing healing in conventional cancer care may improve patient empowerment and choice. Despite the value to patients, staff and healers, many services receive little financial support. Exchange of information and communication on referral possibilities between healers and conventional staff needs to be improved. Voluntary healer self-regulation will facilitate the safe incorporation of healing into conventional care.