Patients’ reasons for seeking traditional Chinese medicine: a qualitative study
Asmita Patel 1 2 , Yiyi Chen 11 New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand
2 School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
Correspondence to: Asmita Patel, New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine, P.O. Box 17467, Auckland 1050, New Zealand. Email: asmita.patel@aut.ac.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 10(4) 338-342 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC17092
Published: 7 December 2018
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2018.
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Acupuncture is one of the most well-known and utilised forms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Very little is known about the factors that influence individuals to seek this type of treatment. The aim of this study was to identify and examine patients’ reasons for seeking TCM treatment, which was mainly in the form of acupuncture.
METHODS: Participants were 15 Auckland-based patients who attended a student acupuncture clinic. Participants were individually interviewed. An inductive thematic approach was used to analyse data.
RESULTS: Three main themes were identified regarding factors that influenced individuals to seek TCM: the perceived limitations of pharmaceutical treatment for certain conditions; a previous positive experience of acupuncture; and word-of-mouth regarding the perceived effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of certain conditions.
DISCUSSION: Users perceive TCM-based acupuncture to be an effective form of treatment for their condition, especially after having previously received conventional medical treatment. Past and present users of TCM appear to have an advocate-based role with family and friends regarding the promotion of TCM-based acupuncture.
KEYWORDS: Acupuncture; traditional Chinese medicine; patient perspectives; complementary and alternative medicine; CAM utilisation
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