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Reasons for choosing and complying with complementary health care: an in-house study on a South Australian clinic.

D'Crus A, Wilkinson JM

School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia., Norwood Homoeopathic Centre, Adelaide, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why clients initially consult a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner, the reasons that influence clients to seek treatment, and the factors that influence clients to be compliant with their treatment. DESIGN: A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Quantitative data were obtained via a self-completion survey (n = 158). Qualitative information was derived from eight semistructured interviews. SETTING: The study took place in a clinic in Norwood, South Australia. Participants were primarily residents of the eastern suburbs of Adelaide. SUBJECTS: The study involved a convenience sample of clients. RESULTS: Survey and interview results demonstrated that clients access CAM practitioners not solely for improvement of physical symptoms, with 54% of clients indicating a desire for counseling for general health issues and 50% wanting dietary and nutritional treatment. Of the subjects 36% sought increased self-insight and benefit from a wider perspective of healing. In addition 55% of respondents indicated that quality of relationship between CAM and client has a major impact on compliance and continuity of treatment, which in turn affects the overall success of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Clients in this clinic accessed complementary health care for a variety of reasons including gaining another perspective on their health. It suggests that CAM does not replace conventional medicine but may be used as an adjunct to conventional medicine.

Published 9 January 2006 in J Altern Complement Med, 11(6): 1107-12.
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