The Perspectives of Australian Naturopaths about Providing Health Services for People with Sleep Disorders

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine and describe the clinical approach Australian naturopaths take in providing care for people with sleep disorders, as it well known that Australians commonly seek care from naturopathic practitioners and no data on naturopathic practices for people with sleep disorders is currently documented. Participants: Naturopaths registered with the Australian PRACI (Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative) involved in the clinical management of people with sleep disorders. Methods: Consenting participants were invited to participate in semi-structured phone interviews conducted with the aid of a project-specific interview guide until data saturation was evident. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results: A total of 20 naturopaths across 5 different Australian states were interviewed, 4 themes were identifiable. Thematic interpretation suggests that (1) sleep health consults were common and involved detailed history taking by providers, (2) herbal remedies supported by lifestyle and sleep hygiene behaviors were the most common treatments recommended, and (3) interprofessional communication to medical doctors was seldom reciprocated. Government-funded research and establishing statutory registration of naturopaths were identified as key steps in profiling the professions role and to develop/evaluate integrated patient-centered sleep health care models. Conclusion: Naturopaths engage in the treatment of sleep disorders yet face barriers in executing an integration of such approaches within the current health care system. Research is required to explore how to overcome these barriers and develop integrated patient-centered models of care within tertiary sleep clinics and/or primary care physicians.