A qualitative study of patient's views on the consultation at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital, an NHS integrative complementary and orthodox medical care unit.
We investigated consultations at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital (GHH), by the use of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 14 patients. Interviews (lasting 1-2 h) were taped and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was based on a grounded theory approach. Two main categories of themes emerged: (1) those "outside" the consultation, related to expectations, initially formed from experiences of family and friends, but then strengthened by ongoing attendance at GHH; and (2) themes "inside" the consultation including length of consultations, the whole-person approach, being treated as an individual, and telling and having their "story" listened to in depth. Equality of relationship, mutual respect, and sharing decisions were also prominent themes. In conclusion, patients attending the GHH highly value the holistic approach, and view time, empathy, and the therapeutic relationship as being of key importance.
Mercer
Stewart W
SW
Section of General Practice and Primary Care, Division of Community Based Sciences, University of Glasgow, 4 Lancaster Crescent, Glasgow G12 0RR, Scotland, UK. stewmercer@blueyonder.co.uk
Reilly
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000592:standards*; D003657:Decision Making; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006694:Holistic Health; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000592:standards*; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires