Complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care: a multi-centre case study.
OBJECTIVE
To uncover complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care.


METHODS
The study employed a multiple case-study design, involving three cancer/supportive and palliative care settings in the North West of England. A questionnaire survey (n=51) was undertaken, followed by semi-structured interviews with a subgroup of the sample (n=28).


RESULTS
Participants had a mean age of 50 years, were predominantly female and had varied career backgrounds, including prior professional experience in healthcare, teaching and private complementary therapy practice. Motivation for working in cancer/supportive and palliative care included vocational drive with a desire to provide individualised treatment and adopt a person centred, empowering and caring approach; disillusionment with conventional care; career development and personal experience of cancer or other serious illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicated that motivational factors for therapists working in cancer care/supportive and palliative care were varied and highlighted a combination of 'push and pull' factors, particularly for therapists who are also health care practitioners. Further research related to volunteering, sustainable services and support and training for therapists is required.
Peter
Mackereth
M
The Christie Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester, University of Derby, UK. peter.mackereth@christie.nhs.uk
Ann
Carter
C
Sam
Parkin
P
Jacqui
Stringer
S
Dai
Roberts
R
Andrew
Long
L
Chris
Todd
T
Ann
Caress
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002322:Career Mobility; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult