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“We treat humans, not herds!”: A qualitative study of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers’ individualized approaches to vaccination in Switzerland

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  • Deml, Michael J.
  • Notter, Julia
  • Kliem, Paulina
  • Buhl, Andrea
  • Huber, Benedikt M.
  • Pfeiffer, Constanze
  • Burton-Jeangros, Claudine
  • Tarr, Philip E.

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers' roles in parents' decision-making about vaccinations for their children have only recently begun receiving research attention, despite studies showing CAM to be used by 25–50% of the population in Western countries. This article examines how CAM practitioners discuss vaccinations with parents in Switzerland, with a focus on childhood vaccinations and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations. We describe how the CAM providers we interviewed (N = 17) and observed during vaccination consultations (N = 18 observations with 5 providers) employed individualized approaches to vaccination. Triangulation of qualitative evidence from interviews and observations allowed us to analyze their discourses and descriptions of experiences (i.e. what they said) and their practices in situ (i.e. what they did). Evidence gathered shows that practitioners framed vaccination decisions as choices at individual and family levels rather than focusing on public health benefits and consequences. They articulated their perspectives in terms of personal clinical experiences and parents' wishes, concerns, and contexts. Such findings challenge recurring narratives depicting CAM providers as categorically anti-vaccination and suggest that approaches to address vaccine hesitancy in clinical practice could benefit from communication and relational approaches similar to those demonstrated by participants in this study. Such approaches include taking time to understand parents’ wishes, involving them in vaccination decisions, and taking their concerns seriously.

Suggested Citation

  • Deml, Michael J. & Notter, Julia & Kliem, Paulina & Buhl, Andrea & Huber, Benedikt M. & Pfeiffer, Constanze & Burton-Jeangros, Claudine & Tarr, Philip E., 2019. "“We treat humans, not herds!”: A qualitative study of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers’ individualized approaches to vaccination in Switzerland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:240:y:2019:i:c:s0277953619305507
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112556
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    1. Moore, Erin V. & Ddaaki, William & Hirsch, Jennifer S. & Chang, Larry & Nalugoda, Fred & Santelli, John S., 2022. "“Sex is supposed to be naturally more pleasurable”: Healers as providers of holistic sexual and reproductive healthcare in Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    2. Hornsey, Matthew J. & Lobera, Josep & Díaz-Catalán, Celia, 2020. "Vaccine hesitancy is strongly associated with distrust of conventional medicine, and only weakly associated with trust in alternative medicine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    3. Ward, Jeremy K. & Gauna, Fatima & Deml, Michael J. & MacKendrick, Norah & Peretti-Watel, Patrick, 2023. "Diversity of attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and vaccines: A representative cross-sectional study in France," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    4. Christophe Leveque & Haris Megzari, 2022. "Intensification or Diversification: Responses by Anti Health-Pass Entrepreneurs to French Government Announcements," Working Papers hal-03624964, HAL.
    5. Deml, Michael J. & Buhl, Andrea & Notter, Julia & Kliem, Paulina & Huber, Benedikt M. & Pfeiffer, Constanze & Burton-Jeangros, Claudine & Tarr, Philip E., 2020. "‘Problem patients and physicians’ failures': What it means for doctors to counsel vaccine hesitant patients in Switzerland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    6. Christophe Lévêque & Haris Megzari, 2023. "Intensification or diversification: responses by anti health-pass entrepreneurs to French government announcements," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 553-583, December.
    7. Christophe LEVEQUE & Haris MEGZARI, 2022. "Intensification or Diversification: Responses by Anti Health-Pass Entrepreneurs to French Government Announcements," Bordeaux Economics Working Papers 2022-04, Bordeaux School of Economics (BSE).

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