Parents’ and practitioners’ differing perspectives on traditional and complementary health approaches (TCAs) for children

Abstract

AimTo compare parents’ and practitioners’ perspectives on traditional and complementary healthcare approaches (TCAs) used for children in a multi-ethnic community. TCA includes not only complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) but also folk/ethno-medicine. MethodologyAn exploratory qualitative study in multi-ethnic community settings and primary care in Northwest London. Eleven focus groups explored parents’ use of TCA for their children, sources of information, decision-making processes and communication with healthcare practitioners about TCA use. Translation was available. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 30GPs, nurses, health visitors and midwives to explore their attitudes, beliefs and knowledge. Sampling was purposive and iterative to capture the range of ethnicities. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis and Atlas.ti software. ResultsA wide range of TCA was used for children. Parents’ and practitioners’ perspectives on TCA differed, including: definition, categorisation, plausibility, efficacy, epistemology and evidence. Parents’ perspectives were generally more pragmatic, including what was classified as TCA and how they evaluated effectiveness. Practitioners focussed on more theoretical issues, in particular approving of TCA with plausible mechanisms of action and research evidence. Parents relied on family members and other mothers to inform their TCA use. DiscussionMismatch in perspectives and criteria regarding TCA may create communication problems during consultation. Practitioners need to appreciate the range and extent of TCA used for children and understand reasons behind this use. Discussions with families on whether these can be integrated with current medical treatment in a safe and acceptable way can then occur.