Coordinating integrated services: a pilot study with participants of a co-ordinators course.

The aim of this study was to explore developments in integrative practice in cancer care. Views were drawn from a small focus group (n=4), with students from a coordinators course. The role of a coordinator or team leader has been suggested as pivotal to service integration and organisation [National guidelines for the use of complementary therapies in supportive and palliative care. The Prince of Wales's foundation for Integrated Health & The National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services London POWFIH, 2003; Mackereth, European Journal of Oncology Nursing 8 (2004) 1]. The participants suggested that there are areas which need to be developed to achieve this goal, including evidence based practice, standardisation of training, and ongoing support, and personal development.