D'Crus Amanda, Wilkinson Jenny M
School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia., Norwood Homoeopathic Centre, Adelaide, Australia.
J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Dec;11(6):1107-12. doi: 10.1089/acm.2005.11.1107.
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.
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.
The study took place in a clinic in Norwood, South Australia. Participants were primarily residents of the eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
The study involved a convenience sample of clients.
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.
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.
本研究旨在探究患者最初咨询补充与替代医学从业者的原因、影响患者寻求治疗的因素以及影响患者坚持治疗的因素。
采用定量与定性方法相结合的方式。通过自填式调查问卷获取定量数据（n = 158）。定性信息来自8次半结构化访谈。
研究在南澳大利亚州诺伍德的一家诊所进行。参与者主要是阿德莱德东郊的居民。
本研究纳入了方便样本的患者。
调查和访谈结果表明，患者咨询补充与替代医学从业者并非仅仅为了改善身体症状，54%的患者表示希望就一般健康问题接受咨询，50%的患者希望接受饮食和营养治疗。36%的研究对象寻求增强自我认知并从更广泛的康复视角中获益。此外，55%的受访者表示补充与替代医学从业者和患者之间的关系质量对治疗的依从性和持续性有重大影响，进而影响治疗的总体成效。
该诊所的患者出于多种原因寻求补充性医疗保健，包括从另一个角度看待自身健康。这表明补充与替代医学并非替代传统医学，而是可作为传统医学的辅助手段。
