Implementing an Integrative Oncology Paradigm in Cancer Care: The Tuscan Regional Healthcare System.

Recent cancer research highlighted specific patient needs, with a growing interest in integrative oncology (IO). This is a narrative review concerning the Tuscan Healthcare System, which represents a virtuous example of progressive integration of complementary medicine in conventional cancer care. The main steps of the process are described, with a specific focus on the 2021 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathway on Integrative Oncology.

Integration of Homeopathy and Complementary Medicine in the Tuscan Public Health System and the Experience of the Homeopathic Clinic of the Lucca Hospital.

Introduction: The healthcare programs of the Region of Tuscany (Italy) have started the process of integration of some types of complementary medicine (CM), including homeopathy, which began in 1996. The Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca was opened in 1998, followed by the Homeopathic Clinic for Women in 2003, and the Clinic for CM and Diet in Oncology in 2013.

Methods: Observational longitudinal studies conducted on 5,877 patients (3,937 in the general clinic, 1,606 in the women's clinic and 334 in oncology) were consecutively examined from 2003 to 2016.

Patient Safety in Complementary Medicine through the Application of Clinical Risk Management in the Public Health System.

To develop a systematic approach to detect and prevent clinical risks in complementary medicine (CM) and increase patient safety through the analysis of activities in homeopathy and acupuncture centres in the Tuscan region using a significant event audit (SEA) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA). SEA is the selected tool for studying adverse events (AE) and detecting the best solutions to prevent future incidents in our Regional Healthcare Service (RHS). This requires the active participation of all the actors and external experts to validate the analysis.

Add-On Complementary Medicine in Cancer Care: Evidence in Literature and Experiences of Integration.

: According to the literature an increasing number of cancer patients demand for complementary therapies during their disease. Research has demonstrated that some of these therapies are effective and safe as adjunctive treatments in specific symptoms of these patients. : The aims of the paper are to review the main and recent papers of international literature on the effectiveness of complementary medicine (CM) therapies on side effects of anti-cancer protocols and improvement in the quality of life of oncological patients, and to describe the integration of evidence-based acupuncture, herbal medicine and homeopathy treatments in Public Cancer Network of the region of Tuscany.

Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer patients: results of the EPAAC survey on integrative oncology centres in Europe.

Background: The Region of Tuscany Health Department was included as an associated member in WP7 "Healthcare" of the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC), initiated by the EU Commission in 2009.

Aims: The principal aim was to map centres across Europe prioritizing those that provide public health services and operating within the national health system in integrative oncology (IO).

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to collect data.