Supportive Care Medicine and Integrative Oncology Services
Our interdisciplinary team of supportive care and integrative oncology providers — composed of specialist physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and chaplains — is highly trained to leverage evidence-based techniques to improve your quality of life when you need it most.
Physicians and nurses work with patients, families and the patient’s primary care team to help keep patients comfortable during their treatment, as well as:
- Manage symptoms, pain and side effects (with and without medication)
- Help establish goals of care, including advance care planning and determining priorities for advance directives
- Provide palliative and hospice care
Providers offer a complimentary consultation to review how research-supported practices may help cancer patients and survivors regain health and build a lifestyle focused on wellness, with a special focus on:
- Relaxation techniques and meditation
- Herbs and supplements
- Diet and physical activity
Whether you are newly diagnosed or currently undergoing therapy, we create a custom rehabilitation plan to optimize physical function and maintain your independence.
- Prehabilitation to build strength before treatment begins
- Diagnosis and management of issues related to muscles and joints
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Management of non-cancer pain
- Injections to help treat soft tissue pain and spasticity
Our licensed social workers offer counseling and resources to meet the psychological, emotional, social and practical needs of patients and families.
- Counseling to address illness and discuss problem-solving tools
- Individual and family short-term psychotherapy
- Advance directives and goals of care discussions
- Referrals to community resources to address barriers to care
- Education and assistance with the transition between stages of care, as appropriate
A range of psychological and emotional concerns may arise throughout the cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Our skilled clinical psychologists can create a customized treatment plan to meet your unique needs and help you improve overall well-being.
Chaplains and other specialists are available for spiritual assistance and grief and bereavement support or to recommend spiritual support in the local community.
The Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) program at City of Hope Orange County helps patients learn and practice skills such as meditation, guided imagery and mindfulness to help them adapt to how they deal with stress and illness.
Our oncology acupuncturists provide this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy which research has shown can improve symptoms commonly associated with cancer. Potential benefits include pain management, as well as reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, sleeplessness, anxiety, fatigue, hot flashes and neuropathy.