Ampomah Irene G, Devine Susan, Ampomah Genevieve A, Emeto Theophilus I
Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, UC 182, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 Jan 14;25(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12906-025-04746-9.
The integration of herbal and orthodox medicines has gained momentum in global health, ensuring improved management of infectious diseases like malaria. This study explored the experiences of medical herbalists working in Ghana's diverse ecological zones to understand the contributions of integrated healthcare to malaria control.
A phenomenological design was employed to conduct in-depth interviews with 19 purposively sampled medical herbalists. Framework analytical approach and Donabedian's conceptual framework for quality of care were utilised in analysing the data.
Findings revealed high awareness of integrated healthcare practices among participants. Medical herbalists perceived integrated care as instrumental in enhancing malaria management through factors such as improved quality assurance, increased accessibility to integrated health facilities, patient-centred care, follow-up practices, and opportunities for continuous professional development. However, structural and process-related challenges were identified, including inadequate healthcare personnel, medicines, and equipment. Additionally, limited promotional activities, non-comprehensive National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and ineffective referral systems were recognised as barriers hindering the effectiveness of the integrated system and its potential contribution to malaria control.
Although national and health system-based challenges have thwarted the importance of integration on malaria control, medical herbalists feel optimistic about the intervention. To optimise the effectiveness of integrated healthcare in controlling malaria in Ghana would require policy modification and implementation. Future research could focus on developing healthcare frameworks, particularly for malaria, that prioritise quality service delivery within an integrated system.
草药医学与传统医学的整合在全球卫生领域已成为一种趋势，有助于改善对疟疾等传染病的管理。本研究探讨了在加纳不同生态区域工作的草药医生的经验，以了解综合医疗保健对疟疾控制的贡献。
采用现象学设计，对19名经过有目的抽样的草药医生进行深入访谈。数据分析采用框架分析法和多纳贝迪安的医疗质量概念框架。
研究结果显示，参与者对综合医疗保健实践的认知度很高。草药医生认为，综合医疗保健通过提高质量保证、增加综合医疗机构的可及性、以患者为中心的护理、随访实践以及持续专业发展机会等因素，有助于加强疟疾管理。然而，也发现了与结构和流程相关的挑战，包括医护人员、药品和设备不足。此外，宣传活动有限、国家医疗保险计划（NHIS）不全面以及转诊系统无效被认为是阻碍综合系统有效性及其对疟疾控制潜在贡献的障碍。
尽管基于国家和卫生系统的挑战阻碍了整合在疟疾控制方面的重要性，但草药医生对这一干预措施仍持乐观态度。要优化加纳综合医疗保健在控制疟疾方面的有效性，需要修改和实施相关政策。未来的研究可以侧重于制定医疗保健框架，特别是针对疟疾的框架，在综合系统中优先提供高质量服务。
