Kate Roberts1, Debra Betts2, Tony Dowell3, Jing-Bao Nie4. 1. Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, 23A Mein Street, 7343 Wellington, New Zealand. Electronic address: kate.roberts@postgrad.otago.ac.nz. 2. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: debra.betts@rhizome.net.nz. 3. Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. Electronic address: dowell@otago.ac.nz. 4. Bioethics Centre, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: bao.nie@otago.ac.nz.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In recent years more health service users are utilising complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including acupuncture, for the management of their health. Currently general practitioners (GPs), in most cases, act as the primary provider and access point for further services and also play an important role in integrated care management. However, the interaction and collaboration between GPs and acupuncturists in relation to shared care has not been investigated. This research explored interprofessional communication between GPs and acupuncturists in New Zealand. This article reports specifically the acupuncturists' viewpoints. METHODS: This study formed part of a larger mixed methods trial investigating barriers and facilitators to communication and collaboration between acupuncturists and general practitioners in New Zealand. Semi structured interviews of 13 purposively sampled acupuncture participants were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The data analysis identified both facilitators and barriers to integrative care. Facilitators included a willingness to engage, and the desire to support patient choice. Barriers included the limited opportunities for sharing of information and the lack of current established pathways for communication or direct referrals. The role evidence played in integrative practice provided complex and contrasting narratives. CONCLUSIONS: This research contributes to the body of knowledge concerning communication and collaboration between GPs and acupuncturists, and suggests that by facilitating communication and collaboration, acupuncture can provide a significant component of integrated care packages. This research provides context within a New Zealand health care setting, and also provides insight through the disaggregation of specific provider groups for analysis, rather than a grouping together of CAM as a whole.
BACKGROUND: In recent years more health service users are utilising complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including acupuncture, for the management of their health. Currently general practitioners (GPs), in most cases, act as the primary provider and access point for further services and also play an important role in integrated care management. However, the interaction and collaboration between GPs and acupuncturists in relation to shared care has not been investigated. This research explored interprofessional communication between GPs and acupuncturists in New Zealand. This article reports specifically the acupuncturists' viewpoints. METHODS: This study formed part of a larger mixed methods trial investigating barriers and facilitators to communication and collaboration between acupuncturists and general practitioners in New Zealand. Semi structured interviews of 13 purposively sampled acupuncture participants were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The data analysis identified both facilitators and barriers to integrative care. Facilitators included a willingness to engage, and the desire to support patient choice. Barriers included the limited opportunities for sharing of information and the lack of current established pathways for communication or direct referrals. The role evidence played in integrative practice provided complex and contrasting narratives. CONCLUSIONS: This research contributes to the body of knowledge concerning communication and collaboration between GPs and acupuncturists, and suggests that by facilitating communication and collaboration, acupuncture can provide a significant component of integrated care packages. This research provides context within a New Zealand health care setting, and also provides insight through the disaggregation of specific provider groups for analysis, rather than a grouping together of CAM as a whole.
Authors: Mike Armour; Debra Betts; Kate Roberts; Susanne Armour; Caroline A Smith Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-19 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Justin Sinclair; Susanne Armour; Jones Asafo Akowuah; Andrew Proudfoot; Mike Armour Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-29 Impact factor: 3.390