Healing Touch in Outpatient Oncology

Hickman Cancer Center at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, provides comprehensive outpatient oncology services to patients from prevention through treatment and beyond.

As the hub for ProMedica Cancer Institute, Hickman Cancer Center served over 3,800 newly diagnosed cancer patients across ProMedica facilities throughout a 27-county service area in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan during 2013.

In addition to high-quality clinical care, multiple supportive services are offered to patients, including Healing Care.

The Healing Care Program

The Healing Care Program provides complementary services that support oncology patients and their caregiver(s) throughout treatment and for two years after treatment.

Services include:

Group Classes

Yoga, Nia, and aromatherapy

One-on-One Sessions

Healing Touch, Guided Imagery, aromatherapy, or a combination of these therapies

Practitioners may also integrate prayer, meditation, and/or breathing exercises as part of the session.

What These Services Support

Practitioners assist individuals with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual concerns, such as:

• lack of energy

• nausea

• discomfort

• anxiety

• stress

• balance and grounding

The intention is to provide supportive care that helps people feel more resourced as they move through treatment and recovery.

Program Staffing and Experience

The Healing Care Program is staffed by two registered nurses and one licensed practical nurse (approximately one full-time position), each bringing a variety of holistic experiences.

All three nurses are trained in Healing Touch, and two are certified practitioners. All have aromatherapy education, with two completing certification. Two have specialized education in guided imagery. One is educated in Qi Gong, and one is certified as a Nia (holistic exercise) instructor.

Together, the team has over 40 years of experience providing complementary therapies to patients.

How Patients Access the Program

Patients are introduced to the Healing Care Program through a brochure received at patient orientation. Through patient-caregiver-nursing interactions, it is common for nurses to discuss the complementary services available through the Program.

Patients and caregivers can self-refer or can be referred by a member of their healthcare team.

Participation and Reach

In 2013:

• Nearly 600 people participated in group classes

• 340 received one-on-one sessions

In addition, over 1,000 patients received massage therapy by an oncology-certified therapist during chemotherapy. This service was provided through a collaborative agreement with The Victory Center.

Community Collaboration: The Victory Center

The Victory Center is a local nonprofit whose mission is to support and educate cancer patients and those closest to them through individual and group services in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Since 1996, The Victory Center has served cancer patients and their families by providing love, support, compassion, hope, and laughter.

Healing Care practitioners provide weekly services at The Victory Center, including Healing Touch and group classes. This collaboration strengthens services that benefit people with a cancer diagnosis throughout the community and surrounding areas.

Article Credit: Healing Touch: An Integrative Therapy in Outpatient Oncology
Debra Reis, MSN, RN, CNP, Program Coordinator – Healing Care, ProMedica Cancer Institute
Tisha Jones, MSW, ProMedica

Energy Magazine™, May/June 2014