What patients expect from complementary therapy: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Complementary and alternative therapies have become popular with patients in Western countries. Studies have suggested motivations for patients' choosing a wide range of complementary therapies. Data on the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy are limited. We assessed the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy.


METHODS
Patients attending a British National Health Service (NHS) outpatient department that provided acupuncture, osteopathy, and homoeopathy were asked to complete a qualitative survey.


RESULTS
Patients expected symptom relief, information, a holistic approach, improved quality of life, self-help advice, and wide availability of such therapies on the NHS.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians' understanding of patients' expectations of complementary therapies will help patients make appropriate and realistic treatment choices.
Richardson
Janet
J
School of Integrated Health, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish St, London W1W 6UW, England, UK. j.richardson01@westminster.ac.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom