Older adults' perspectives on naturopathic medicine's impact on healthy aging.
BACKGROUND
High rates of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization among older adults are of interest because studies suggest relationships among CAM, self-care, and healthy lifestyle. These potential relationships are of particular interest because of the contribution of self-care in maintaining physical, emotional, and spiritual health as key strategies to successful aging. Naturopathic medicine (NM) is a type of primary care CAM used by older adults, yet little is known about older adults' use of NM or its role in healthy aging.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to examine perceptions about, and utilization of, NM and the experience of addressing health and wellness as part of the aging process.


METHODS
Phenomenology-based qualitative inquiry.


METHODS
A total of 13 community-based clinics affiliated with a naturopathic medical school.


METHODS
A total of 47 adults aged 58-100 years.


METHODS
Qualitative analysis of semi-structured focus groups with quantitative analysis of clinical administrative data.


RESULTS
Over 2543 older adults used NM services affiliated with a natural academic clinic in Seattle in 2011 for diagnoses consistent with primary care: fatigue, anxiety, diabetes, diarrhea, and depression, in rank order. Participants reported they sought NM because it offered a different system of care aligned with their values. Themes included (1) feeling heard, (2) a focus on health education including prevention and self-care, and (3) feeling supported. Themes further distilled into optimal descriptive characteristics of patient-centered providers that may best support older adults' healthy aging. A final theme described barriers to further utilization.
Pacific Pearl Health & Healing, La Jolla, CA 92037. Electronic address: DrOberg.hip@gmail.com.
Erica B
EB
Oberg
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA.
Marie-Sabine
MS
Thomas
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA.
Melissa
M
McCarty
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA.
Jennifer
J
Berg
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA.
Bonnie
B
Burlingham
Bastyr University California, 4106 Sorrento Valley Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121.
Ryan
R
Bradley
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006262:Health; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009324:Naturopathy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D014861:Washington
Patient-centered care; aging; geriatric; integrative medicine; naturopathic medicine; prevention