title: Veterans' Experiences using Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Posttraumatic Stress: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis.
abstract: Combat Veterans struggling with combat-related post(*)traumatic stress disorder and subthreshold symptoms often look outside the conventional behavioral health care system for treatment because standard care has not met their needs. This study utilized a qualitative interpretive metasynthesis to describe the lived experience of combat Veterans seeking complementary and alternative health therapies for posttraumatic stress symptoms. This research aimed to understand what attracts these Veterans to complementary and alternative medicine techniques and how they benefit from their experiences with nonconventional therapies. Findings suggest the need for further research into increasing access and eliminating disparities for Veterans seeking more integrative care.
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schuman
mesh_terms: D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: CAM; Veteran; complementary and alternative; integrative health; military; posttraumatic stress; qualitative