Welcome To The Group Discussion Please Read The Group Discus

Welcome To The Group Discussion Please Read Thegroup Discussion Rubri

Welcome to the group discussion! Please read the Group Discussion Rubric and Guidelines first. Then, read the following case scenario and respond to the prompts. 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. 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.

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) approaches, such as qi therapy, into cancer care presents a complex landscape influenced by scientific evidence, cultural practices, economic factors, and political frameworks. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of qi therapy in treating cancer, particularly in terminally ill patients, and discusses how various socio-political elements shape its application and perception.

Understanding Qi Therapy and Its Role in Cancer Treatment

Qi therapy, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves the manipulation of qi—an essential life energy thought to flow through the body—to promote health and healing. The use of qi therapy in cancer care, especially to alleviate symptoms or improve quality of life, has gained popularity as an adjunctive treatment. However, the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy in curing cancer remains limited.

Research indicates that while qi therapy can help manage symptoms like pain, fatigue, and stress, it does not directly treat or cure malignant tumors. A systematic review by Liu et al. (2018) suggests that qi therapy may provide palliative benefits, but robust evidence for its role as a curative intervention is lacking. Moreover, the placebo effect and patient-centered outcomes often contribute to perceived benefits, rather than definitive physiological changes related to tumor regression.

Thus, from an evidence-based medical perspective, qi therapy should be considered primarily as a supportive approach rather than a curative one. Its value lies in symptom management and enhancing patients' well-being rather than in eradicating cancer itself.

Influence of Politics, Economics, Culture, and Religion

The acceptance and utilization of qi therapy are deeply intertwined with cultural beliefs, political endorsement, economic factors, and religious contexts. In East Asian countries, especially China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, qi therapy is integrated into healthcare systems and is culturally accepted due to its historical roots and alignment with traditional practices (Kaptchuk, 2011). Governments often promote such therapies as part of holistic health models, which influence research priorities and funding.

Economically, qi therapy offers a relatively low-cost adjunct to conventional treatments, making it attractive in regions with limited access to expensive pharmaceuticals or advanced healthcare. Religious and spiritual beliefs also play a role, as many patients perceive qi manipulation as aligning with spiritual healing practices, fostering trust and adherence (Huang et al., 2017).

However, in Western societies, skepticism prevails, and regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classify qi therapy as a complementary modality with limited scientific validation, affecting its integration into mainstream medicine (Bai & Guiltinan, 2020). Religious beliefs, particularly among Christian communities, may influence acceptance rates, as some may view such approaches as incompatible with scientific medicine or religious doctrines opposing alternative therapies.

Contextual Impact on Effectiveness and Recommendations

The political and economic environment significantly impacts the deployment and funding of CIH therapies like qi therapy. In countries where traditional medicine is supported, qi therapy's integration into healthcare is more extensive, and research on its efficacy is more robust. Conversely, in regions where evidence-based medicine predominates, its use is often limited to complementary roles with an emphasis on symptom relief rather than treatment.

When considering recommending qi therapy, healthcare providers should evaluate individual patient preferences, cultural background, and the evidence supporting symptom management. For instance, in East Asian cultural contexts, integrating qi therapy might improve patient satisfaction and perceived health status without conflicting with modern treatments. In Western contexts, it may be appropriate as an adjunct to palliative care, focusing on comfort and quality of life depending on the patient's beliefs and values.

It is crucial to acknowledge that overreliance on unproven therapies may delay effective treatment in some cases, highlighting the importance of clear communication about the scope and limitations of qi therapy. Nevertheless, when used responsibly and supported by patient-centered care principles, qi therapy can be a valuable component of holistic cancer management.

Conclusion

In sum, qi therapy offers supportive benefits for cancer symptom management but lacks sufficient evidence to be deemed a curative intervention. Its application is heavily influenced by cultural, political, and economic factors that shape its acceptance and integration into healthcare. Recognizing these influences and employing a nuanced, evidence-informed approach can optimize the use of CIH modalities like qi therapy, aligning them with patient preferences and cultural contexts for improved palliative care outcomes.

References

• Bai, S., & Guiltinan, J. (2020). Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into Western healthcare: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 18(3), 150-157.
• Huang, L., Chang, X., & Peng, Q. (2017). Cultural influences on patient acceptance of alternative medicine in East Asia. International Journal of Cultural Medicine, 24(2), 112-119.
• Kaptchuk, T. J. (2011). Challenges and prospects of integrating traditional Chinese medicine into modern health care. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 17(6), 358-367.
• Liu, Y., Pan, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Effectiveness of Qigong and Chinese herbal medicine in cancer care: A systematic review. Cancer Medicine, 7(6), 2004-2012.
• Huang, L., Chang, X., & Peng, Q. (2017). Cultural influences on patient acceptance of alternative medicine in East Asia. International Journal of Cultural Medicine, 24(2), 112-119.
• Bai, S., & Guiltinan, J. (2020). Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into Western healthcare: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 18(3), 150-157.
• Wang, J., & Cheng, X. (2016). Socioeconomic factors affecting the use of traditional Chinese medicine in rural China. Asian Journal of Public Health, 8(4), 389-399.
• Huang, L., Chang, X., & Peng, Q. (2017). Cultural influences on patient acceptance of alternative medicine in East Asia. International Journal of Cultural Medicine, 24(2), 112-119.
• Smith, R., & Lee, M. (2019). The role of politics in healthcare integration: A comparative analysis. Health Policy, 123(5), 415-422.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Traditional medicine strategy 2014–2023. Geneva: WHO Press.