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Alternative Medicine or “Alternative†Patients: A Qualitative Study of Patient-Oriented Decision-Making Processes with Respect to Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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  • Opher Caspi
  • Mary Koithan
  • Michael W. Criddle

Abstract

Background. Theory and clinical practice suggest that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) decisionmaking processesmaydiffer from those used in conventional medicine. If so, understanding the differences could improve patient-provider communication around treatment options. Objectives. To examine patient-oriented decision-making processes relative to CAM use. Population. Adults with chronic rheumatological disorders who utilize allopathic medicine only, CAM only, or both. Method. An exploratory, cross-sectional naturalistic design with thematic and content analyses. Results. Three distinct decision paths were developed, differing substantially on the importance of provider trust, disease severity/prognosis, willingness to experiment, intuitive/spiritual factors, and outcomes evidence. Conclusions. These divergent decision paths indicate the possibility of “alternative patients,†not just “alternative therapies.†Since informed decisions, tailored to the patient, would likely lead to sustainable improvements in health care outcomes, the findings may facilitate providers’ capacity to effectively advise patients about treatment alternatives and CAM use.

Suggested Citation

  • Opher Caspi & Mary Koithan & Michael W. Criddle, 2004. "Alternative Medicine or “Alternative†Patients: A Qualitative Study of Patient-Oriented Decision-Making Processes with Respect to Complementary and Alternative Medicine," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 24(1), pages 64-79, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:medema:v:24:y:2004:i:1:p:64-79
    DOI: 10.1177/0272989X03261567
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sirois, Fuschia M. & Gick, Mary L., 2002. "An investigation of the health beliefs and motivations of complementary medicine clients," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(6), pages 1025-1037, September.
    2. Gwyn, Richard & Elwyn, Glyn, 1999. "When is a shared decision not (quite) a shared decision? Negotiating preferences in a general practice encounter," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 437-447, August.
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    1. Li‐Hsiang Wang & Suzanne Goopy & Chun‐Chih Lin & Alan Barnard & Chin‐Yen Han & Hsueh‐Erh Liu, 2016. "The emergency patient's participation in medical decision‐making," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(17-18), pages 2550-2558, September.
    2. Patricia M Herman & Anita H Yuan & Matthew S Cefalu & Karen Chu & Qing Zeng & Nell Marshall & Karl A Lorenz & Stephanie L Taylor, 2019. "The use of complementary and integrative health approaches for chronic musculoskeletal pain in younger US Veterans: An economic evaluation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Ruth A. Tanyi & Joan Stehle Werner, 2008. "Women's Experience of Spirituality Within End-Stage Renal Disease and Hemodialysis," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 17(1), pages 32-49, February.
    4. Hök, Johanna & Wachtler, Caroline & Falkenberg, Torkel & Tishelman, Carol, 2007. "Using narrative analysis to understand the combined use of complementary therapies and bio-medically oriented health care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(8), pages 1642-1653, October.

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