Integrative oncology in clinical practice, research, and education: Middle-Eastern and global perspectives

Abstract

This study aimed to explore integrative oncology (IO) across the Middle East, examine how international IO leaders promote IO in the Middle East, and assess how the Middle East contributes to the development of IO globally. This narrative review employed a structured literature search and descriptive analytic approach, using multiple databases, predefined keywords, varied study designs, and multilingual sources. It was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and medical educators from ten Middle Eastern countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates) and global IO/palliative leaders from South America, India, China, Europe, and the USA, providing a real-life implementation perspective. The collaborative IO model of care ensures safe and effective traditional and herbal medicine practices, with a culturally-sensitive approach respecting health beliefs. Middle Eastern and international IO participants discuss how they can benefit from each other, drawing from Middle-East Research Group in Integrative Oncology (MERGIO) activities in clinical practice, research, and medical education. Important themes derived from the review include the potential for IO to advance patient-centered care, effectively improve quality of life-related concerns, ensure a safe therapeutic environment, and overcome accessibility- and disparity-related barriers. IO treatments should be provided by trained multi-disciplinary teams of integrative physicians and practitioners, within culturally-adapted multi-modal programs and a receptive national and regional healthcare policy. Research utilizing pragmatic methodologies reflects real-world IO practice, with IO prioritized in medical education providing students and healthcare professionals with high-quality clinical and research training across the Middle East.