Positive Health Online

Abstract

BARRETT and colleagues, Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School, Madison, Wisc. 53715, USA, bbarrett@fammed.wisc.edu, have investigated what complementary practitioners say about health and health care.

Background

The aim of the study was explore the beliefs and practices of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners.

Methodology

A representative sample of 32 local complementary and alternative therapists was selected for face-to-face interviews. Interviews were taped, transcribed, and reviewed. Analysis and interpretation were reached by consensus amongst all authors, using an iterative process in multidisciplinary group meetings.

Results

The therapists interviewed emphasized the holistic, empowering, and person-centred nature of complementary and alternative medicine. They described themselves as healers, using attentiveness, touch, and love to increase self-awareness and strengthen the healing process. Their clients usually presented with chronic illness and often in pain. They affirmed goodwill and respect toward conventional medicine, calling for greater integration of conventional and complementary health care; however, they identified the major differences of conventional medicine and several formidable barriers. They expressed concern about the accessibility of complementary health care and stressed that attitudes and beliefs were often larger impediments to integration than economic or scientific considerations.

Conclusion

In general, complementary and alternative therapists want to work with physicians and other conventional health care providers in seeking a holistic, accessible, patient-centred, integrated health care system.

References

Barrett B, Marchand L, Scheder J, Appelbaum D, Plane MB, Blustein J, Maberry R, Capperino C. What complementary and alternative medicine practitioners say about health and health care. Annals of Family Medicine 2(3): 253-259, May-Jun 2004.