Paving the way to Integrative Oncology: Essentials for Integration into Clinical Practice
Over the last 2 decades, integrative oncology (IO) has seen exponential growth combining evidence-based complementary therapies with conventional treatments to improve the well-being and quality of life for individuals with cancer. Led by members of the Society for Integrative Oncology’s (SIO) Clinical Practice Committee (CPC), this workshop will focus on how to translate the essential components necessary for developing an IO program with a focus on the tools critical for creating a successful IO consultation (building from the committee’s published article in 2024). In addition to reviewing how a comprehensive and unified IO based care plan can develop from multidisciplinary and globally diverse perspectives.
Learning objectives:
1. To review and understand the different elements involved in developing an IO care plan from globally diverse perspectives through representation of members from SIO’s CPC focusing on key aspects of the committee’s article “Establishing an Integrative Oncology Service: Essential Aspects of Program Development”.
2. To review the core components of an IO consultation, weaving in recent SIO-ASCO guidelines, to create a framework for programs to develop a comprehensive consultation and multidisciplinary care plan and how to implement the plan from diverse approaches.
3. To review, through academic and community-based centers and as led by the unique perspective of different IO providers, approaches to developing an IO consultation and comprehensive plan.
Target audience:
Current integrative oncology practitioners seeking to enhance and grow their current IO programs and those interested in establishing a multidisciplinary approach to IO program development.
Prerequisites:
Review of Publication: “Establishing an Integrative Oncology Service: Essential Aspects of Program Development” which will be provided as a PDF to registered participants (also accessible on the SIO Website).
Facilitators:
Dr. Alissa Huston is a medical and integrative oncologist caring for the unique needs of cancer patients through the incorporation of integrative therapies into the management of cancer and cancer-treatment related symptoms. She is a Professor of Medicine at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center where she also serves as Co-Medical Director of the Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center and Co-Director of the Breast Survivorship Program. Her research efforts focus on how integrative modalities can mitigate symptoms for cancer patients as they undergo treatment, and how to expand both education of and access to integrative services.
Dr. Judith Lacey is a supportive care and integrative oncology specialist working in supportive cancer care and cancer related symptom management. With a background of over 20 years as a palliative and supportive care specialist, she has dedicated the last decade to developments in this field, integrating holistic medical and nursing supportive care with evidence based complementary therapies, exercise and lifestyle changes alongside conventional treatments to care for the whole person. She leads a specialist multidisciplinary team of practitioners and allied health professionals with outpatient clinics LivingRoom at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Australia, serving as Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology.
Prof. Dr. Wolf is Professor of the Medical Faculty and Director of the Institute of Complementary and Integrative Medicine at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Her professional activities at the University include research, teaching and patient care, the latter with an emphasis on integrative oncology. She is board-certified in general internal medicine and is also specialized in anthroposophic medicine and Western phytotherapy. Her overall research aim is investigating and further developing integrative medicine with quantitative and qualitative state-of-the-art methods. The focus of her research is effectiveness, safety and modes of action of medication and non-medication therapies and developing multimodal research methodology.
Dr. Patrick Richard is a board certified radiation oncologist and a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). He incorporates the pillars of lifestyle medicine into his routine practice and discusses the importance of each during and after cancer therapy. By addressing these key lifestyle factors, Dr. Richard engages and empowers patients to be active participants in their health and wellness despite undergoing cancer treatments. This holistic approach has been shown to reduce side effects, improve quality of life, and enhance cancer care outcomes, ultimately helping patients enter survivorship with an improved physical and mental well-being.
Dr. Gabriel Lopez is an Associate Professor, Clinical Section Chief and Medical Director of the Integrative Medicine Center at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine. He has a primary clinical focus on integrative oncology consultation. He has trained in internal medicine, palliative care and symptom management, and hematology/oncology. He also serves on the National Cancer Institute, PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board, responsible for producing and maintaining evidence-based summaries on integrative medicine topics. His research interests are focused on integrative oncology, supportive care and patient reported outcomes.