Aron Jarvis1, Rachel Perry2, Debbie Smith3, Rohini Terry4, Sarah Peters5. 1. 1School of Psychological Sciences,Centre for Health Psychology,University of Manchester,UK. 2. 2Research Assistant,Biomedical Research Unit,University of Bristol,UK. 3. 3The School of Psychological Science,The Manchester Centre for Health Psychology,UK. 4. 4Research Associate,School of Social and Community Medicine,University of Bristol,UK. 5. 5Senior Lecturer,School of Psychological Sciences,Centre for Health Psychology,University of Manchester,UK.
Abstract
AIM: To investigate GPs' beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its role in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of CAM in the United Kingdom, little is known about GPs beliefs regarding these alternative approaches to patient management and how they view it in relation to their clinical conduct and practice. METHOD: A qualitative study conducted on 19 GPs recruited from the North West of England. Semi-structured telephone interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: limited evidence base, patient demand and concerns over regulation. CONCLUSION: Despite recognising the limited evidence base of CAM, GPs continue to see a role for it within clinical practice. This is not necessarily led by patient demand that is highly related to affluence. However, GPs raised concerns over the regulation of CAM practitioners and CAM therapies.
AIM: To investigate GPs' beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its role in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of CAM in the United Kingdom, little is known about GPs beliefs regarding these alternative approaches to patient management and how they view it in relation to their clinical conduct and practice. METHOD: A qualitative study conducted on 19 GPs recruited from the North West of England. Semi-structured telephone interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: limited evidence base, patient demand and concerns over regulation. CONCLUSION: Despite recognising the limited evidence base of CAM, GPs continue to see a role for it within clinical practice. This is not necessarily led by patient demand that is highly related to affluence. However, GPs raised concerns over the regulation of CAM practitioners and CAM therapies.
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Keywords:
beliefs; complementary/alternative medicine; general practitioner; qualitative