Aproximaciones complementarias y alternativas al cuidado de la salud en niños con cáncer: Estudio con grupos focales Alternative and Complimentary Approaches for Health Care in Children with Cancer: Focus Group Study

Objectives: This study seeks to identify what kinds of complimentary approaches and health care alternatives are used by parents or caregivers of children with cancer treated at the National Cancer Institute in Bogota, as well as the mechanisms of action which allow them to be achieved. Methods: The study was based on qualitative methodology with focus groups in which types of intervention and proposed mechanisms of action were explored. Results: Five focus groups were formed, with a total of 45 participants (parents or caregivers of children with cancer). The most widely discussed intervention topics were those related to biological therapy; with immune system reinforcement appearing as the primary mechanism of action. Conclusions: A distinction appears to exist in the use of health care approaches —some of which are not reported on in the literature —between children and adults. Diverse mechanisms of action for biological therapy have been suggested, mostly in reports from studies carried out in other cultures. It is necessary that the frequency with which these interventions are used be quantified among the pediatric population.