Pharmacists' perspectives on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in Japan with special reference to Kampo medicines: an internet survey with preliminary interviews.

Background: Pharmacists guide patients in their use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM). The present study aimed to evaluate the opinions of Japanese pharmacists regarding TCIM, and to evaluate the usability of the evidence-based Japanese Integrative Medicine (eJIM) website from the pharmacists' point of view.

Methods: We conducted a two-stage, mixed-method study using interviews and an internet-based survey.

Physician perspectives on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine and the national evidence-based Japanese integrative medicine information website: A mixed-method study.

Background: The evidence-based Japanese integrative medicine (eJIM) website was launched by the Japanese government in 2014 to provide information on integrative medicine to the general public and physicians. While Japanese physicians discourage the use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM), there are very few reports that explore this issue. We aimed to understand the attitudes of Japanese physicians towards TCIM and evaluate the usability of the eJIM website according to physicians.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Japan: A Cross-sectional Internet Survey Using the Japanese Version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire.

Introduction: Although there have been several national survey studies on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in Japan, previous studies have not been compared with investigations conducted in other countries. An international CAM questionnaire known as I-CAM-Q was developed through a two-day international workshop in 2006. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of CAM by the general Japanese population using a modified version of the I-CAM-Q for the Japanese (I-CAM-QJ).

Internet survey on the provision of complementary and alternative medicine in Japanese private clinics: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by the general population has been surveyed previously, the provision of CAM by Japanese physicians in private clinics has not been studied. Universal health insurance system was established in Japan in 1961, and most CAMs are not on the drug tariff. We aimed to clarify the current status of CAM provided by physicians at private clinics in Japan.

Usability of the evidence-based Japanese integrative medicine (eJIM) information site: analysis with focus group discussion and internet survey on the general population.

Background: The information site for evidence-based Japanese Integrative Medicine (eJIM) was launched by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to enable patients, medical staff, and others to obtain appropriate information, but it has not been objectively evaluated by users. The present study aimed to assess the usability of the eJIM website from the viewpoint of the general population.

Methods: We held a focus group discussion with 12 persons in November 2016, conducted an Internet survey of 1107 people (general population) in February 2017, and assessed their understanding of basic concepts of complementary and alternative medicine and usefulness of the contents after browsing the eJIM website.

The degree of social difficulties experienced by cancer patients and their spouses.

Background: Although recent studies have increasingly reported physical and psychological problems associated with cancer and its treatment, social problems of cancer patients and their families have not been sufficiently elucidated. The present study aimed to identify cancer-associated social problems from the perspectives of both patients and their spouses and to compare and analyze differences in their problems.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional internet-based study.

An exploratory study of social problems experienced by ambulatory cancer patients in Japan: Frequency and association with perceived need for help.

Objective: Little is known about the social problems experienced by cancer patients in non-Western countries. The aims of this study were (1) to explore the characteristics and frequencies of social problems in cancer outpatients, as well as their associations with the need for help, and (2) to take the initial steps to develop an instrument for the assessment of cancer-related social problems in Japan.

Methods: A cross-sectional group of 109 patients completed the Social Problem Checklist and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30.

Comparison of patient and family assessments of quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients in Japan.

Objective: This study examined the extent and the nature of agreement on health-related quality of life (QOL) assessments between terminally ill cancer patients and their primary family caregivers in Japan, using a multidimensional QOL instrument including psychosocial and spiritual domains.

Methods: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual well-being questionnaire was used to assess patients' QOL. Study subjects were inpatients of a palliative care unit (PCU), outpatients who applied for admission to the PCU, and their primary family caregivers.