["Settling down, sorting, and keeping your compass". Experience of a health education consultation on complementary therapies].

Abstract

Introduction: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAMs) by breast cancer patients is frequent but not without risks. An open and patient-centered discussion on the subject is essential. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of breast cancer patients during a health education consultation about complementary and alternative medicine (CAMs) using a serious game.

Methods: This qualitative study was inspired by interpretative phenomenology. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine breast cancer patients who participated in a health education consultation on CAMs as part of a larger quantitative trial.

Results: The participants' use of CAMs assimilated to a form of compensatory medicine in response to their perceived gaps in the conventional healthcare system. The conversation based on the serious game and the caregiver's open, non-judgmental approach fostered horizontal dialogue and critical reflection about the patients' health choices. Although participants expressed a desire for autonomy through this use, they expressed a need for support to avoid bearing the responsibility of decision-making alone. Despite these positive feedbacks, the perceived impact of the serious game intervention on their practice and decision-making was limited.

Discussion: The health education consultation provided patients with a space for communication and reflection, serving as support for decision-making and enhancing their experiential knowledge.