Homeopathy enables Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to cope with their chronic ill health: a qualitative study of patient's perceptions of the homeopathic consultation
Homeopathy enables Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to cope with their chronic ill health: a qualitative study of patient's perceptions of the homeopathic consultation
OBJECTIVE: The role of the consultation in mediating improved clinical outcomes has been demonstrated in both conventional and complementary medicine but to date no depth study has explored how complementary medical consultations achieve such benefits. This study explored rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' perceptions of the homeopathic consultation including any perceived benefit.
METHODS: Qualitative study nested within a placebo-controlled multi-centre trial assessing adjunctive homeopathic intervention for RA. In-depth face to face interviews (with 16 participants) were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
RESULTS: RA participants perceived homeopathic consultations helped them cope better through either enabling improved physical health, wellbeing and/or illness management. Four themes associated with improved coping were: receiving emotional support; exploring the illness; exploring self; and gaining advice. Exploring the wider narrative of their illness, enabled participants to address their individual needs and for some, this process of increased awareness changed their perception resulting in the perceived benefits.
CONCLUSION: Homeopathic consultations enable RA patient to cope better.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Homeopathic consultations may provide an additional resource for RA patients. Identifying and employing the "active ingredients" that confer benefit may be appropriate for other clinicians to maximise patient benefits from consultations.
consultation, homeopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, qualitative patient’s experiences, interpretative phenomenological analysis
507-516
Brien, Sarah B.
4e8e97cd-7bc3-4efd-857e-20790040b80f
Leydon, Geraldine M.
c5cdaff5-0fa1-4d38-b575-b97c2892ec40
Lewith, George
0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625
2012
Brien, Sarah B.
4e8e97cd-7bc3-4efd-857e-20790040b80f
Leydon, Geraldine M.
c5cdaff5-0fa1-4d38-b575-b97c2892ec40
Lewith, George
0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625
Brien, Sarah B., Leydon, Geraldine M. and Lewith, George
(2012)
Homeopathy enables Rheumatoid Arthritis patients to cope with their chronic ill health: a qualitative study of patient's perceptions of the homeopathic consultation.
Patient Education and Counselling, 89 (3), .
(doi:10.1016/j.pec.2011.11.008).
(PMID:22177660)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The role of the consultation in mediating improved clinical outcomes has been demonstrated in both conventional and complementary medicine but to date no depth study has explored how complementary medical consultations achieve such benefits. This study explored rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' perceptions of the homeopathic consultation including any perceived benefit.
METHODS: Qualitative study nested within a placebo-controlled multi-centre trial assessing adjunctive homeopathic intervention for RA. In-depth face to face interviews (with 16 participants) were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
RESULTS: RA participants perceived homeopathic consultations helped them cope better through either enabling improved physical health, wellbeing and/or illness management. Four themes associated with improved coping were: receiving emotional support; exploring the illness; exploring self; and gaining advice. Exploring the wider narrative of their illness, enabled participants to address their individual needs and for some, this process of increased awareness changed their perception resulting in the perceived benefits.
CONCLUSION: Homeopathic consultations enable RA patient to cope better.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Homeopathic consultations may provide an additional resource for RA patients. Identifying and employing the "active ingredients" that confer benefit may be appropriate for other clinicians to maximise patient benefits from consultations.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 15 December 2011
Published date: 2012
Keywords:
consultation, homeopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, qualitative patient’s experiences, interpretative phenomenological analysis
Organisations:
Primary Care & Population Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 206465
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/206465
ISSN: 0738-3991
PURE UUID: 368dcc19-b58d-4e9b-a3c3-229fc3cb3cae
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Date deposited: 21 Dec 2011 11:44
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:23
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Author:
George Lewith
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