Consumers' experiences and values in conventional and alternative medicine paradigms: a problem detection study (PDS)

Lynne Emmerton,Jasmina Fejzic,Susan E Tett

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-39

Abstract

BackgroundThis study explored consumer perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and relationships with CAM and conventional medicine practitioners.A problem detection study (PDS) was used. The qualitative component to develop the questionnaire used a CAM consumer focus group to explore conventional and CAM paradigms in healthcare. 32 key issues, seven main themes, informed the questionnaire (the quantitative PDS component - 36 statements explored using five-point Likert scales.)ResultsOf 300 questionnaires distributed (Brisbane, Australia), 83 consumers responded. Results indicated that consumers felt empowered by using CAM and they reported positive relationships with CAM practitioners. The perception was that CAM were used most effectively as long-term therapy (63% agreement), but that conventional medicines would be the best choice for emergency treatment (81% agreement). A majority (65%) reported that doctors appeared uncomfortable about consumers' visits to CAM practitioners. Most consumers (72%) believed that relationships with and between health practitioners could be enhanced by improved communication. It was agreed that information sharing between consumers and healthcare practitioners is important, and reported that "enough" information is shared between CAM practitioners and consumers. Consumers felt comfortable discussing their medicines with pharmacists, general practitioners and CAM practitioners, but felt most comfortable with their CAM practitioners.ConclusionsThis PDS has emphasized the perceived importance of open communication between consumers, CAM and conventional providers, and has exposed areas where CAM consumers perceive that issues exist across the CAM and conventional medicine paradigms. There is a lot of information which is perceived as not being shared at present and there are issues of discomfort and distrust which require resolution to develop concordant relationships in healthcare. Further research should be based on optimisation of information sharing, spanning both conventional and CAM fields of healthcare, due to both the relevance of concordance principles within CAM modalities and the widespread use of CAM by consumers.

Highlights

This study explored consumer perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and relationships with CAM and conventional medicine practitioners
There was general agreement with the importance of information sharing between consumers and healthcare practitioners, and a reported belief that “enough” information is shared between CAM practitioners and consumers (Table 1)
The majority of CAM consumers surveyed in this problem detection study (PDS) were of the view that there was insufficient information exchanged between consumers and conventional medicine practitioners, which contrasted with their majority view that there was sufficient mutual information exchange between consumers and CAM practitioners

Summary

Introduction

This study explored consumer perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and relationships with CAM and conventional medicine practitioners. CAM is a term used for treatments which are not considered part of conventional medicine, including herbal medicines, Bringing CAM into the mainstream is viewed by some as a way of reinstating focus on the consumer - the person, not the disease [8,9]. This is consistent with another trend - the increasing focus on ‘concordance’ in relationships between healthcare practitioners and consumers in the conventional healthcare model [10]. A need for more research about concordance and CAM focusing on the consumer perspective is evident

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Discussion

Conclusion