A new study found that most parents of children with cancer and blood disorders are using complementary medicine—things like special diets, supplements, prayer, yoga, and acupuncture—but they’re not talking to their doctors about it. Researchers surveyed 150 families at a children’s hospital and discovered that while only 30% of parents knew the official name for these practices, 58% were actually using at least one type. Parents mostly wanted to help reduce side effects from treatment or improve their child’s quality of life. The biggest problem? Most families didn’t discuss these practices with their medical team, and when they did, the parents usually brought it up first. This research shows doctors and families need to communicate better about these treatments.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether parents of children with cancer and blood disorders use alternative or complementary medicine, and whether they talk to their doctors about it
  • Who participated: 150 parents and caregivers of children being treated at a children’s hospital cancer and blood disorder clinic between May and September 2024. Participants had to speak English or Spanish and had attended at least one clinic visit.
  • Key finding: 58% of families used at least one form of complementary medicine, but only 17% had discussed it with their child’s doctor. In most cases (60%), the parents brought up the topic themselves rather than the doctor asking about it.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent of a child with cancer or a blood disorder and you’re considering or using alternative treatments, it’s important to tell your medical team. Your doctors need to know what your child is taking or doing so they can make sure it’s safe and won’t interfere with medical treatment.

The Research Details

Researchers created a survey and asked 150 families at a children’s hospital to fill it out. This type of study is called a ‘cross-sectional survey,’ which means researchers took a snapshot of what families were doing at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years. The survey asked families about different types of complementary medicine they knew about or used, including dietary changes, supplements, mind-body practices like prayer and yoga, and traditional medicine systems from other cultures. The survey also asked about costs, why families chose these treatments, and what stopped them from using more.

This research approach is useful because it quickly shows what’s actually happening in real families’ lives. By asking families directly, researchers learned what parents are really doing and thinking, not just what doctors think they’re doing. This helps identify gaps between what families want and what doctors are offering.

This study was conducted at one hospital in North Carolina, so the results might be different in other places. The sample size of 150 families is moderate—larger studies would give more confidence in the results. However, the study does reflect real families dealing with these serious health conditions, which makes it valuable. The researchers were honest about these limitations, which is a good sign of quality research.

What the Results Show

The most surprising finding was that most families (58%) were using some form of complementary medicine, even though most (70%) didn’t know the official medical term for it. The most common practice was dietary changes (47% of families), followed by mind-body practices like prayer, meditation, or yoga (20%). Supplements were used by some families, and a smaller number tried acupuncture or traditional medicine systems.

Another major finding was the communication gap: only 17% of families had talked to their doctors about these practices. Even more striking, in 60% of those conversations, the parents brought it up first—the doctors didn’t ask. This suggests doctors might not be routinely asking families about complementary medicine use.

Families had different reasons for using these treatments depending on their child’s condition. Parents of children with cancer mostly wanted to reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Parents of children with nonmalignant (non-cancer) blood disorders were more focused on improving their child’s overall quality of life and long-term health.

The study found that lack of awareness was the biggest barrier (61% of families mentioned this), followed by cost (15%). This means many families would probably use more complementary medicine if they knew more about it and could afford it. The fact that cost was a barrier for only 15% suggests that access to information is a bigger problem than money for most families.

Previous research has shown that complementary medicine use is common in children with serious illnesses, but this study adds important new information: most families aren’t telling their doctors about it. This communication gap is concerning because doctors need to know everything their patients are taking or doing to provide the best care and avoid dangerous interactions.

This study only looked at families at one hospital in North Carolina, so results might be different in other parts of the country or in different types of hospitals. The sample size of 150 families is decent but not huge—a larger study would be more convincing. The study only included families who spoke English or Spanish, so it might not represent families who speak other languages. Also, families who came to the clinic might be different from families who don’t go to clinics regularly.

The Bottom Line

Parents should tell their child’s medical team about any complementary medicine they’re using or considering. Doctors should routinely ask families about these practices. Hospitals should provide information about safe complementary medicine options. Healthcare providers should work with families to understand their goals and preferences. (Confidence level: High—this is based on clear evidence of a communication gap)

This matters most for parents and caregivers of children with cancer or blood disorders. It also matters for pediatricians, oncologists, and other doctors who care for these children. Hospital administrators should care because better communication could improve patient care and family satisfaction. This research is less relevant for families of healthy children, though the communication principle applies to all healthcare.

There’s no specific timeline here because this research is about communication and awareness, not about how long treatments take to work. Families should start these conversations with their doctors right away, not wait for anything.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Create a ‘Complementary Medicine Log’ where parents can record any alternative treatments, supplements, or practices their child uses, including the date started, reason for use, and any effects noticed. Include a reminder to share this list with their medical team at each appointment.
  • Add a feature that prompts users before each doctor’s appointment: ‘Have you told your doctor about all the complementary treatments your child is using?’ with a checklist of common practices (diet changes, supplements, prayer/meditation, yoga, acupuncture, etc.) to help parents remember what to discuss.
  • Set up a quarterly review where parents can reflect on which complementary practices they’re using, whether they’ve discussed them with their doctor, and whether they want to continue, change, or stop any practices. Include a section to note doctor feedback or concerns about specific treatments.

This research describes what families are currently doing, not what they should do. Complementary medicine practices vary widely in safety and effectiveness. Parents should always discuss any complementary treatments, supplements, or alternative practices with their child’s medical team before starting them. Some complementary treatments may interfere with cancer treatment or other medical care. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If your child has cancer or a blood disorder, work closely with your healthcare team to make decisions about all aspects of care, including any complementary medicine you’re considering.