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Understanding Patient Preference for Integrative Medical Care: Results from Patient Focus Groups

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Abstract

Background

Integrative medicine (IM), a combination of conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), has become a popular source of medical care, yet little is known about its use.

Objective

To identify the motivations of people who choose IM for their primary care needs.

Design

Qualitative study from focus group data of regular users of IM.

Participants

Six focus groups that include a total of 37 regular users of IM who consented to participate in a study of IM use.

Approach

Focus group meetings were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis using grounded theory was used to derive the motivations for use of IM.

Results

Participants beliefs include the following: the combination of CAM and conventional medicine is better than either alone; health is a combination of physical, emotional, and spiritual well being; nutrition and lifestyle play a role in wellness; and pharmaceuticals should be avoided except as a last resort. Participants suffer from health problems that are not well treated by conventional medicine. Participants want to discuss CAM with physicians and obtain guidance on its use. Participants want time with their providers, to feel listened to and to have the opportunity for shared decision-making.

Conclusion

Much of what patients are seeking in integrative medical care is likely universally shared: a strong therapeutic relationship with providers who listen and provide time and knowledgeable advice. Users believe a combined approach of CAM and conventional medicine is better than either alone and want to be able to discuss CAM use with their providers.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Russ Phillips, MD, from the Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Therapies, Osher Institute, Harvard Medical School, and the Division of General Medicine and Primary care, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, for his assistance with the conceptual development of this project. This project was supported by the Center for Integrative Health, Medicine and Research, 2032A Broadway, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, and Dr. McCaffrey was supported during the initial planning phase by an Institutional National Research Service Award for Training in Alternative Medicine Research (T32 AT00051), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Conflict of Interest

None disclosed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marino Center for Progressive Health, 2500 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA

    Anne M. McCaffrey MD, MPH & Guy F. Pugh MD

  2. Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, Boston, MA, USA

    Anne M. McCaffrey MD, MPH & Bonnie B. O’Connor PhD

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA

    Bonnie B. O’Connor PhD

Authors
  1. Anne M. McCaffrey MD, MPH
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  2. Guy F. Pugh MD
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  3. Bonnie B. O’Connor PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anne M. McCaffrey MD, MPH.

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McCaffrey, A.M., Pugh, G.F. & O’Connor, B.B. Understanding Patient Preference for Integrative Medical Care: Results from Patient Focus Groups. J GEN INTERN MED 22, 1500–1505 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0302-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0302-5

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