title: Factors affecting decision-making of patients choosing acupuncture in a public hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With increasing evidence to support its practice, acupuncture has been integrated within many hospitals around the world. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors affecting decision making of patients as they select acupuncture treatment for their medical conditions and symptoms within a public hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study consisting of in depth interviews with 14 patients was conducted. All patients attended an acupuncture clinic within a public hospital. Data collected was analysed via thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main factor groups affecting decision making of patients were identified- factors affecting the level and value of patient-centric care, the confidence and trust patients place within the acupuncture service, the presence of collaborative efforts between acupuncturists and Western medicine practitioners, and the knowledge, culture and belief society has regarding the role of acupuncture and Western medicine. All participants interviewed had more than one factor group present as enablers toward their eventual selection of acupuncture for ailment management. It was also noted that although the majority of participants had sufficient knowledge regarding acupuncture, there were a select few who had misperceptions or no knowledge regarding certain aspects of acupuncture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There may be certain patterns in the way patients choose to utilise acupuncture services in public hospitals. Further studies should also be carried out in other public hospitals to analyse the factor groups identified further.
authors.affiliation: 1 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore 119228, Republic of Singapore ; 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Andrew Arjun
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sayampanathan
authors.affiliation: 1 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore 119228, Republic of Singapore ; 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Thean Howe Bryan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: 1 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore 119228, Republic of Singapore ; 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Keng He
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: 1 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, Singapore 119228, Republic of Singapore ; 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Yin Peng
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Low
keywords: Acupuncture; decision making; hospital; qualitative study; western medicine