Consultations with a naturopath or herbalist: The prevalence of use and profile of users amongst mid-aged women in Australia

Adams, Jon; Sibbritt, David; Young, Anne F.

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2007.03.007

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…A poorer status of health [10, 11] and the presence of troubling symptoms [12, 13] are common reasons for the utilisation of CAM. However, because high CAM users in Sydney reported general good health, there may be additional factors that influence the uptake of CAM by women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use during Menopause in Sydney and Bologna

Sluijs

Lombardo

Lesi³

et al. 2013

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Background. Previous surveys found CAM use during menopause to be popular. This paper compares the results from two surveys (Sydney and Bologna) to examine factors that determine the extent and pattern of CAM use to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Methods. Women, aged 45–65 years, who were symptomatic when transitioning through menopause or asymptomatic but taking menopause-specific treatments, were recruited in Sydney (n=1,296) and Bologna (n=1,106) to complete the same voluntary, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaire. The results were reanalysed using stratified analyses to determine similarities and differences. Results. Demographics of the two cohorts differed significantly. CAM was more popular in Sydney. The most significant determinants of CAM use were the use of CAM for other conditions besides menopause and the severity of vasomotor symptoms. Occupational status was a determinant of CAM use amongst Bologna respondents only. In order to relieve symptoms, Australian and Italian women used different CAM modalities whose effectiveness was generally perceived as good. Conclusion. CAM use is popular amongst menopausal women from Sydney and Bologna. Differences in the patterns of CAM use seem to depend on CAM availability and on the educational level and professional status of users. The complex interaction between market, social, and cultural factors of CAM use seems to be more influential on women's choice of CAM than the available evidence of their effectiveness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use during Menopause in Sydney and Bologna

Sluijs

Lombardo

Lesi³

et al. 2013

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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show abstract

“…In Australia, despite universal health coverage for conventional services, 11% of mid-age women still choose to consult (and pay out of pocket) a naturopath. 42 In some conditions, such as cancer, this can increase to 16%. 43 Exploring and documenting the reasons behind these choices can identify the gaps that NM is filling and, where appropriate, construct substantive arguments for extending …”

Section: Contextual Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Intersecting Paradigms of Naturopathic Medicine and Public Health: Opportunities for Naturopathic Medicine

Wardle

Oberg

2011

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Complementary medicine research, including naturopathic medicine research, is plagued with many methodological challenges. Many of these challenges have also been experienced in public health research. Public health research has met these challenges with a long history of multidisciplinary, multimethod, and whole systems approaches to research that may better resonate with the ?real world? clinical settings of naturopathic medicine. Additionally, many of the underlying principles of naturopathic medicine are analogous to the underlying principles and activities of public health, specifically in such areas as health promotion, prevention, patient education, and proactive rather than reactive approaches to disease management and treatment. Future research in the field of naturopathic medicine may benefit from adopting public health research models rather than focusing exclusively on biomedical models. A complementary and collaborative relationship between these fields may provide an opportunity to deliver research that more accurately reflects naturopathic medicine practice, as well as providing the opportunity to improve health outcomes more generally.

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“…The use of naturopaths by the Australian public is high, with large longitudinal studies indicating over 10% of middle-aged women consult with naturopathic practitioners [5], increasing to over 15% in chronic, complex or serious conditions such as cancer [6]. In many cases naturopaths are the primary care providers for Australian patients utilising their services [7-9], and naturopaths are now the largest unregulated health profession in the country with a major primary care role [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current challenges and future directions for naturopathic medicine in Australia: a qualitative examination of perceptions and experiences from grassroots practice

Wardle

Adams

Lui

et al. 2013

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundNaturopaths are an increasingly significant part of the healthcare sector in Australia, yet despite their significant role there has been little research on this practitioner group. Currently the naturopathic profession in Australia is undergoing a period of rapid professional growth and change. However, to date most research exploring the perceptions of naturopaths has been descriptive in nature and has focused on those in leadership positions rather than grassroots practitioners. This article explores the perceptions and experiences of practising naturopaths on the challenges and future directions of their profession.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 naturopaths practising in the Darling Downs region of South-east Queensland, Australia to explore current perceived challenges in the naturopathic profession in Australia.ResultsParticipants perceived a number of internal and external challenges relating to the profession of naturopathic medicine. These included a public misconception of the role of naturopathic medicine; the co-option of naturopathic medicine by untrained or unqualified practitioners; the devaluation of naturopathic philosophy as a core component of naturopathic practice; a pressure to move towards an evidence-based medicine model focused on product prescription; the increasing commercial interest infiltrating complementary medicine, and; division and fragmentation within the naturopathic profession. Naturopaths generally perceived government regulation as a solution for many of these challenges, though this may be representative of deeper frustrations and disconnections between the views of grassroots naturopaths and those in professional leadership positions.ConclusionsGrassroots naturopaths identify a number of challenges that may have significant impacts on the quality, effectiveness and safety of naturopathic care. Given the significant role naturopaths play in healthcare in Australia the practice and policy implications of these challenges require further research attention.

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Consultations with a naturopath or herbalist: The prevalence of use and profile of users amongst mid-aged women in Australia

Cited by 17 publications

References 8 publications

Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use during Menopause in Sydney and Bologna

Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use during Menopause in Sydney and Bologna

The Intersecting Paradigms of Naturopathic Medicine and Public Health: Opportunities for Naturopathic Medicine

Current challenges and future directions for naturopathic medicine in Australia: a qualitative examination of perceptions and experiences from grassroots practice

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