Exploring the decision to disclose the use of natural products among outpatients: a mixed-method study

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Research Article

Huai-Lu Chang¹  Betty Siren²  Hsiao-Yun Chang³ 

[1] Chief Executive Officer, H & L Medical Corporation, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;Department of Foreign Languages, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;

关键词: Natural products;    Disclosure;    Communication;    Decision;    Mixed methods research;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6882-13-319

 received in 2013-10-07, accepted in 2013-11-15,  发布年份 2013

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is little understanding of the reasons for the limited communication between patients and conventional healthcare professionals regarding patients’ use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The purpose of this study is to explore the predictors of outpatients’ decision to disclose their use of natural products to conventional healthcare professionals.MethodsA mixed method design was used. Quantitative data were obtained through a survey and qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews. A total of 257 outpatients who fulfilled the criteria of having used natural products prior to the interview were recruited for this study. Subsequently, 39 patients of those who completed the survey were further selected to take part in an in-depth qualitative interview.ResultsPredictors of the decision to disclose the use of natural products to conventional healthcare professionals included age, frequency of clinic visits, knowledge of the natural products and the attitude towards the benefits of CAM use. The themes that emerged from the qualitative data included safeness of the natural products, consulting alternative sources of information, apprehension regarding the development of negative relationships with healthcare professionals and reactions from the healthcare professionals.ConclusionsUnderstanding the factors and reasons affecting patients’ decision as to whether to disclose their use of natural products provides an opportunity for conventional healthcare professionals to communicate better with patients. It is important to encourage patients to disclose their use of natural products in order to provide responsible health care as well as increasing patient safety regarding medication usage.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Chang et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013