Greene Prabhu, A.M., Walsh, E.G., Sirois, F.M. et al. (1 more author) (2009) Perceived benefits of complementary and alternative medicine: A whole systems research perspective. Open Complementary Medicine Journal , 1. 35 - 45. ISSN 1876-391X
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments from the patients’ perspective using a whole systems research approach as a guiding framework. We conducted five focus groups of six to eight participants each, with users of CAM recruited through experienced CAM providers and clinics. Eligible participants were aged 21 or older, had used CAM in the last 12 months, and believed the treatment to be beneficial. The focus group discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through a qualitative content analysis. Responses were inductively coded for common themes, and then placed into broader conceptual categories reflecting the CAM outcome domains suggested by Verhoef and colleagues. Participants described physical health benefits including symptom relief and improved function, and positive psychological benefits such as improved coping and resilience. Social health benefits that arose from the positive aspects of the patient-practitioner relationship were also reported, including support and advocacy. In addition, participants identified empowerment, increased hope and spiritual growth as results of receiving CAM treatments. A new behavioral health outcome domain emerged as participants reported that CAM use had fostered behavioral changes such as increased exercise, smoking cessation and improving their diets. These patient-reported benefits of CAM treatment are consistent with the outcome model proposed by Verhoef and colleagues, and extend this model by identifying a new outcome domain—behavioral health outcome. The findings provide insight and direction for the development of outcome and process measures to evaluate CAM treatment effects.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Greene et al.; Licensee Bentham Open. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 22 Dec 2015 14:55 |
Last Modified: | 22 Dec 2015 14:55 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1876391X00901010035 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Bentham Open |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.2174/1876391X00901010035 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:91803 |