Chinese medicine: its role and application in the institutionalised older people.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to explore the need for and application of Chinese medicine services and factors which impact on the accessibility of Chinese medicine among the institutionalised older people.


BACKGROUND
Although complementary and alternative medicine is widely used by older Chinese both in Hong Kong and elsewhere, little is known about its use by the institutionalised older people. This study breaks new ground by exploring how Chinese medicine, the most popular form of complementary and alternative medicine used by older people, is used and accessed by the institutionalised older people in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Qualitative method.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2007 with 18 older individuals aged between 63-93 and living in three long-term care facilities in Hong Kong.


RESULTS
Three main categories emerged from the data: (1) the role of Chinese medicine in the care of the aged; (2) barriers to the use of Chinese medicine in residences; and (3) factors facilitating the accessibility of Chinese medicine services in residences. Most of the older individuals interviewed claimed that Chinese medicine played a crucial role in their self-health management. The availability of Chinese medicine depended crucially on the support of the health care system, individual institutions and nursing staff.


CONCLUSIONS
The value of Chinese medicine in the care of the institutionalised older people was highlighted. Chinese medicine as a complement to western medicine was perceived as an important component of self-health management. Attitudes towards the use of Chinese medicine in nursing homes therefore need to be reviewed and developed further in accordance with the health strategy policy.


CONCLUSIONS
This research focuses on the role of complementary and alternative medicine in health care for the institutionalised older people. It provides health practitioners, researchers and policy makers with an additional perspective in the provision of quality client-centred care for older people living in long-term care.
Wong
Eliza Lai Yi
EL
Department of Community & Family Medicine, School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Public Health, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. lywong@cuhk.edu.hk
Lam
Jasmine Kwok Man
JK
Griffiths
Sian
S
Chung
Vincent
V
Yeoh
Eng Kiong
EK
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011788:Quality of Life
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal