Direct integrative practice, time constraints and reactive strategy: an examination of GP therapists' perceptions of their complementary medicine.
There has been a movement towards integrating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into the NHS and a growing number of general practitioners (GPs) are personally practising CAM to treat their NHS patients (direct integrative practice). While research has begun to examine DIP, time constraints and related issues--of importance not only to practitioners but also to those purchasing and planning health care--have not yet received in depth attention. In response this paper examines GP therapists' experiences of the clinical reality of their DIP. The analysis reveals how a lack of time is perceived by GP therapists as a serious constraint upon their CAM practice and also how they employ a number of strategies in an attempt to overcome such difficulties.
Adams
J
J
Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors