An exploration of barriers and enablers to the conduct and application of research among complementary and alternative medicine stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand: A qualitative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Most studies examining complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) stakeholder engagement with evidence-based practice have relied on quantitative research methods, which often fail to capture the nuances of this phenomena. Using qualitative methods, this study aimed to explore the experiences of CAM stakeholders regarding the barriers and enablers to the conduct and application of research. METHODS: This research was guided by a qualitative descriptive framework. CAM practitioners and researchers of multiple CAM disciplines from across Australia and New Zealand were invited to share their personal perspectives of the study phenomena. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Rigour strategies were applied to ensure the credibility of results. The transcript was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: CAM stakeholders identified an array of barriers and enablers to the conduct and application of research within their disciplines. The barriers and enablers that emerged were found to be inter-connected with two similar constructs: capacity and culture. Captured within the construct of capacity were five themes-lack of resources, inadequate governance/leadership, lack of competency, bias directed from outside and within CAM, and lack of time for research. Within the construct of culture were two themes-intrinsic perceptions in CAM, and lack of communication within and outside CAM. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting evidence-based practice and engaging with research in CAM continues to face challenges. This study, for the first time, has highlighted the multitude of interlinked barriers that confront CAM stakeholders when engaging with research. These findings highlight the need for a concerted and targeted approach to tackle these challenges.

A cross-sectional workforce survey of three traditional and complementary medicine professions in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Workforce studies about traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) occupations in industrialized countries are scant; and, these occupations' position within the broader occupational workforce remains unclear. This study aims to address these gaps using a comparative approach. METHODS: Naturopaths, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) / acupuncture practitioners, and homeopaths in Ontario, Canada were surveyed regarding their demographics, practice characteristics and self-reported income. Results were compared with parallel data from within and outside of Ontario. RESULTS: Study response rate: 23.3% (n = 1205). While predominantly female (57.9%), Ontario's TCM/acupuncture profession was less feminized than the naturopathic (77.1%) and homeopathic (78.3%) groups. Naturopaths were significantly younger than, and reported fewer years of clinical experience than, the other two groups. About half of TCM/acupuncture practitioners, and almost one-third of homeopaths had trained outside of Canada, predominantly in East and South Asia, respectively. More TCM/acupuncture practitioners (58.9%) and homeopaths (57.6%) had multilingual clinical practices than naturopaths (19.1%). Homeopaths worked fewer hours and saw fewer patients per week than the other occupations. Self-reported mean incomes varied across groups, with naturopaths earning more on average ($63,834, SD $57,101) than did TCM/acupuncture practitioners ($45,624, SD $44,081) or homeopaths ($29,230, SD $41,645). Holding other variables constant, internationally-trained practitioners reported earning one-third less than their Canadian-trained counterparts. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: Study findings echo occupationally-specific data from other industrialized jurisdictions; and, affirm that different T&CM occupations have distinctive demographic and practice characteristics. The demographic makeup of Ontario's TCM/acupuncture and homeopathy occupations suggests a role for these groups in delivering culturally-responsive care within Asian ethnic communities. T&CM practitioner incomes, in particular for internationally-trained practitioners, fell below the provincial population income median, and in many cases below the poverty line. T&CM occupations' relative socio-political marginality may be impacting clinicians' ability to earn a viable living.

Implementation Science Methodologies for Complementary and Integrative Health Research.

Published results of efficacy and effectiveness studies on complementary health approaches should lead to widespread uptake of evidence-based practices, but too often, the scientific pathway ends prematurely, before the best ways to improve adoption, implementation, and sustainability can be determined. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) supports the full continuum of the biomedical research pipeline, whereby a complementary health intervention moves from basic and mechanistic research through efficacy trials and through dissemination and implementation. Implementation science has traditionally been thought of as something that only happens after efficacy and effectiveness have been demonstrated, but it can be prudent to evaluate implementation measures earlier in the process. Implementation science assesses more than just barriers and facilitators; it evaluates specific implementation strategies and characterizes the extent that the intervention is modified within the context of the implementation strategy and health care delivery setting. The best choices for implementation science in complementary health interventions depend on the research questions. Implementation science that tests strategies to address implementation at multiple ecologic levels is a high priority to NCCIH.

Barriers and Facilitators to Integrative Oncology Services in Australia: A Changed Mind Set Required.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to integrative oncology (IO) service provision and access in Australia. Design: The study design was mixed method with two substudies: a cross-sectional national cancer service survey of public and private sectors; and focus group interviews and an online survey of cancer survivors. Triangulation analysis of qualitative and quantitative data was used to identify and interrogate meta-themes. Subjects: The cancer service response rate was 93.2% (n = 275/295); 71/275 (25.8%) provided IO. Thirty-three cancer survivors from Anglo-European, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Chinese backgrounds were interviewed, and 121 survivors answered the online survey. Results: IO gaps were substantial, with no services in many regions and cities; a lack of diversity and availability of therapeutic options, including culturally appropriate services; and a mismatch between the high use of natural health products by survivors and types of IO services provided. Two overlapping meta-themes were identified: "barriers and facilitators" and "peoples and institutions"; each with four subthemes, respectively, "access/provision, affordability/funding, information/evidence, and culture/values" and "cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, organizations, and policies." While affordability/funding was the greatest barrier to survivors and providers, solutions varied (e.g., building a stronger evidence-base, business model advice) and often conflicted (e.g., public verses private sector funding). The most insidious barrier was professional/corporate cultures and values that influenced hospital policies (or lack thereof), conceptions of evidence and the therapeutic alliance. Survivors called for a change of mindset in the culture of medicine and value-based health care. Conclusions: The barriers and facilitators to IO services were more complex than building the evidence-base and demonstrating value to justify funding. To achieve a better alignment of patients' preferences with service provision, providers require more guidance on clinical governance, business models, local service gaps, and interprofessional collaboration. National strategies and funding models are needed to ensure appropriate, equitable IO service provision.

Factors that promote and sustain the use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine services at LEKMA hospital, Ghana, 2017: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: About 70% of Ghanaians depend on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) practices for primary healthcare needs. It was therefore integrated into mainstream healthcare delivery system by the Ministry of Health in September 2012. LEKMA hospital was one of the institutions for piloting TCIM services. We assessed factors that promote the usage and sustainability of TCIM services within the formal healthcare system. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from April-June 2017 at the LEKMA hospital, Accra, Ghana. Patients and managers of TCIM clinic were interviewed. Data was collected through qualitative and quantitative approaches. We defined usage of TCIM as its current use, and sustainability as structures in place to run TCIM services. For assessing usage, a five-point Likert scale was used to assess five domain areas via exit interviews. Managers were assessed on the sustainability of TCIM services through in-depth interviews. Likert scales responses were analysed quantitatively using descriptive tertile statistics. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 72.7% (40/55) of the clients showed a high preference for TCIM usage and 80.0% (4/5) of the managers valued it as partially sustainable. Eighty per cent (44/55) of patients indicated that the location of TCIM services and availability of visible directional signs influenced the good usage; 84% (46/55) of the patients agreed that the usage of TCIM was influenced by their perceived effectiveness. Managers indicated that human resources for providing services was a challenge and TCIM integration into the operations of the hospital needed to be improved. CONCLUSION: We observed a high preference for usage of TCIM among users at LEKMA hospital. The general belief in the potency, perceived effectiveness, location and availability of TCIM services are key determinants of the high preference for usage of TCIM. Provision of TCIM services in its current form is partially sustainable from the managers' perspective. We recommend that the Ministry of Health ensures the availability of staff and create awareness of TCIM services among the general populace.

Informing the model of care for an academic integrative healthcare centre: a qualitative study exploring healthcare consumer perspectives.

BACKGROUND: In response to high demand and the growing body of evidence for traditional and complementary therapies, the practice of integrative medicine and integrative healthcare has emerged where these therapies are blended with conventional healthcare. While there are a number of academic integrative healthcare centres worldwide, there are none in Australia. Western Sydney University will soon establish an academic integrative healthcare centre offering evidence-informed traditional and complementary therapies integrated with conventional healthcare in a research-based culture. The aim of this study was to explore healthcare consumers' views about the perceived need, advantages, and disadvantages of the proposed centre and its relevance to community-defined problems and health and service needs. METHODS: Qualitative methods, informed by community-based participatory research, were used during 2017. Focus groups supplemented with semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare consumers. Participants were recruited through paid advertisements on Facebook. Thematic coding, informed by an integrative healthcare continuum, was used to analyse and organise the data. Analysis was augmented with descriptive statistics of participant demographic details. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged: (i) the integrative approach, (i) person-centred care, and (iii) safety and quality. Participants proposed a coordinated healthcare model, with perspectives falling along a continuum from parallel and consultative to fully integrative models of healthcare. The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and culturally appropriate, team-based care within a supportive healing environment was emphasised. A priority of providing broad and holistic healthcare that was person centred and treated the whole person was valued. It was proposed that safety and quality standards be met by medical oversight, evidence-informed practice, practitioner competency, and interprofessional communication. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that participants desired greater integration of conventional healthcare with traditional and complementary therapies within a team-based, person-centred environment with assurances of safety and quality. Findings will be used to refine the model of care for an academic integrative healthcare centre in Western Sydney.

Implementation of Brazil's National Policy on Complementary and Integrative Practices: strengths and weaknesses. / Potencialidades e fragilidades de implantação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares.

This narrative review examines the literature on complementary and integrative practices (CIPs) and their incorporation into Brazil's national health system (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) in an attempt to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the National Policy on Complementary and Integrative Practices in the SUS (PNPIC, acronym in Portuguese). A search was conducted of the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases, resulting in final sample of 25 articles. Our analysis identified five key themes in the literature related to the strengths and weaknesses of policy implementation: 1) Professional training in CIPs in the SUS; 2) structuring the provision of CIPs, access, and health promotion; 3) knowledge, access, and acceptance of service users in relation to CIPs; 4) knowledge of SUS professional staff and managers in relation to the PNPIC; and 5) scope and monitoring and evaluation of the PNPIC. In consonance with the conclusions of the PNPIC management reports, the findings provide a deeper insight into policy implementation problems and reinforce the need to empower the actors involved in this process to tackle these challenges.

Esta revisão narrativa tem por objetivo analisar a produção científica sobre as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) visando compreender as potencialidades e fragilidades do processo de implantação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC). Após busca nas bases de dados, 25 artigos foram selecionados e os seus resultados analisados criticamente. Da análise do material emergiram cinco temas principais que explicitaram potencialidades e fragilidades de implantação da política: 1) Formação profissional em PIC para o SUS; 2) Estruturação da oferta em PIC, acesso e promoção da saúde; 3) Conhecimento, acesso e aceitação de usuários em relação às PIC; 4) Conhecimento de profissionais e gestores em relação à PNPIC; e 5) Escopo, monitoramento e avaliação da PNPIC. Os resultados se alinham aos relatórios de gestão da PNPIC aprofundando o conhecimento acerca da implantação da política e reforçando a necessidade de empoderamento dos atores do SUS para o enfrentamento de seus desafios.

Potencialidades e fragilidades de implantação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares / Implementation of Brazil's National Policy on Complementary and Integrative Practices: strengths and weaknesses

Resumo Esta revisão narrativa tem por objetivo analisar a produção científica sobre as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) visando compreender as potencialidades e fragilidades do processo de implantação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC). Após busca nas bases de dados, 25 artigos foram selecionados e os seus resultados analisados criticamente. Da análise do material emergiram cinco temas principais que explicitaram potencialidades e fragilidades de implantação da política: 1) Formação profissional em PIC para o SUS; 2) Estruturação da oferta em PIC, acesso e promoção da saúde; 3) Conhecimento, acesso e aceitação de usuários em relação às PIC; 4) Conhecimento de profissionais e gestores em relação à PNPIC; e 5) Escopo, monitoramento e avaliação da PNPIC. Os resultados se alinham aos relatórios de gestão da PNPIC aprofundando o conhecimento acerca da implantação da política e reforçando a necessidade de empoderamento dos atores do SUS para o enfrentamento de seus desafios.

Abstract This narrative review examines the literature on complementary and integrative practices (CIPs) and their incorporation into Brazil's national health system (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) in an attempt to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the National Policy on Complementary and Integrative Practices in the SUS (PNPIC, acronym in Portuguese). A search was conducted of the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases, resulting in final sample of 25 articles. Our analysis identified five key themes in the literature related to the strengths and weaknesses of policy implementation: 1) Professional training in CIPs in the SUS; 2) structuring the provision of CIPs, access, and health promotion; 3) knowledge, access, and acceptance of service users in relation to CIPs; 4) knowledge of SUS professional staff and managers in relation to the PNPIC; and 5) scope and monitoring and evaluation of the PNPIC. In consonance with the conclusions of the PNPIC management reports, the findings provide a deeper insight into policy implementation problems and reinforce the need to empower the actors involved in this process to tackle these challenges.

Working with women: Semi-structured interviews with Australian complementary medicine maternity care practitioners.

PROBLEM: Despite the known prevalence of complementary medicine use by women during pregnancy and childbirth and the evolution of preferred models of maternity care, very little is known about the nature and characteristics of the care provided to women by complementary medicine practitioners during this important life stage. BACKGROUND: Woman-centred care is a speciation of person-centred care which has achieved prominence in maternity care policy in recent years. There is also evidence that the core principles of some complementary medicine systems of medicine emphasise patient-centredness and that these principles are core drivers toward complementary medicine use in multiple populations. AIM: This study aims to explore the approach to care delivered by complementary medicine practitioners to women during pregnancy and birth. METHODS: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 23 complementary medicine practitioners who identified as specialising in maternity care. Data from the interviews were analysed using a framework approach. FINDINGS: The analysis of the perspective of complementary medicine practitioner's experiences providing care to pregnant and birthing women identified three main themes: Responding to women's expectations of care; providing woman-centred care; and the therapeutic relationship at the heart of woman-centred care. DISCUSSION: The approach to maternity care reported by complementary medicine practitioners aligns with the principles of woman-centred care, possibly due to the similarities between woman-centred care and the core features of many systems of medicine within complementary medicine. CONCLUSION: Complementary medicine practitioners may contribute to an overall experience of woman-centred maternity care for pregnant and birthing women.

Implementação, acesso e uso das práticas integrativas e complementares no Sistema Único de Saúde: revisão da literatura / Implementation, access and use of integrative and complementary practices in the unified health system: a literature review

Resumo No Brasil, as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) tiveram maior visibilidade após a criação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares, em 2006. Contudo, ainda existem lacunas sobre o cenário geral dessas práticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a implementação, o acesso e o uso das PIC no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) após a implantação da política. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura, guiada pela questão: "Qual o atual cenário de implementação, acesso e utilização das PIC no âmbito do SUS?", na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, na US National Library of Medicine e na Web of Science, com os descritores "Sistema Único de Saúde"/"Unified Health System" AND "Terapias complementares"/"Complementary Therapies". Da análise dos artigos, emergiram quatro categorias de discussão: "A abordagem das PIC no SUS: principais práticas usadas"; "O acesso às PIC: a Atenção Básica à Saúde como porta de entrada"; "Atual cenário de implementação das PIC: o preparo dos serviços e dos profissionais da saúde para a realização das PIC"; "Principais avanços no uso das PIC e desafios futuros". Observa-se que as PIC são oferecidas de forma tímida e os dados disponíveis são escassos, apesar dos reflexos positivos para os usuários e para os serviços que aderiram à sua utilização.

Abstract In Brazil, the Integrative and Complementary Practices (ICP) achieved greater visibility after the establishment of the National Integrative and Complementary Practices Policy (NICPP) in 2006. However, there are still gaps in the general setting of these practices. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the implementation, access and use of ICPs in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) after the establishment of this policy. We performed an integrative literature review, guided by the question: "What is the current setting of implementation, access and use of ICPs within the SUS?", in the Virtual Health Library (BVS), the U.S. National Library of Medicine and in the Web of Science, with descriptors "Sistema Único de Saúde" / "Unified Health System" AND "Terapias Complementares" / "Complementary Therapies". The analysis of papers gave rise to four categories for discussion: "The ICP approach in the SUS: main practices used"; "Access to ICPs: Primary Health Care as a gateway"; "Current implementation scenario of ICPs: the preparation of health services and professionals for to implement ICPs"; "Main advances in the use of ICPs and future challenges". We have observed that ICPs are bashfully offered and that data available are scarce, despite the positive impacts on users and services that have embraced their use.

Exploring the Business Case for Improving Quality of Care for Patients With Chronic Rotator Cuff Tears.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, management of patients presenting with chronic rotator cuff tears in Alberta is in need of quality improvements. This article explores the potential impact of a proposed care pathway whereby all patients presenting with chronic rotator cuff tears in Alberta would adopt an early, conservative management plan as the first stage of care; ultrasound investigation would be the preferred tool for diagnosing a rotator cuff tear; and only patients are referred for surgery once conservative measures have been exhausted. METHODS: We evaluate evidence in support of surgery and conservative management, compare care in the current state with the proposed care pathway, and identify potential solutions in moving toward optimal care. RESULTS: A literature search resulted in an absence of indications for either surgical or conservative management. Conservative management has the potential to reduce utilization of public health care resources and may be preferable to surgery. The proposed care pathway has the potential to avoid nearly Can $87 000 in public health care costs in the current system for every 100 patients treated successfully with conservative management. CONCLUSION: The proposed care pathway is a low-cost, first-stage treatment that is cost-effective and has the potential to reduce unnecessary, costly surgical procedures.

Implementation, access and use of integrative and complementary practices in the unified health system: a literature review. / Implementação, acesso e uso das práticas integrativas e complementares no Sistema Único de Saúde: revisão da literatura.

In Brazil, the Integrative and Complementary Practices (ICP) achieved greater visibility after the establishment of the National Integrative and Complementary Practices Policy (NICPP) in 2006. However, there are still gaps in the general setting of these practices. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the implementation, access and use of ICPs in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) after the establishment of this policy. We performed an integrative literature review, guided by the question: "What is the current setting of implementation, access and use of ICPs within the SUS?", in the Virtual Health Library (BVS), the U.S. National Library of Medicine and in the Web of Science, with descriptors "Sistema Único de Saúde" / "Unified Health System" AND "Terapias Complementares" / "Complementary Therapies". The analysis of papers gave rise to four categories for discussion: "The ICP approach in the SUS: main practices used"; "Access to ICPs: Primary Health Care as a gateway"; "Current implementation scenario of ICPs: the preparation of health services and professionals for to implement ICPs"; "Main advances in the use of ICPs and future challenges". We have observed that ICPs are bashfully offered and that data available are scarce, despite the positive impacts on users and services that have embraced their use.

No Brasil, as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) tiveram maior visibilidade após a criação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares, em 2006. Contudo, ainda existem lacunas sobre o cenário geral dessas práticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a implementação, o acesso e o uso das PIC no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) após a implantação da política. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura, guiada pela questão: "Qual o atual cenário de implementação, acesso e utilização das PIC no âmbito do SUS?", na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, na US National Library of Medicine e na Web of Science, com os descritores "Sistema Único de Saúde"/"Unified Health System" AND "Terapias complementares"/"Complementary Therapies". Da análise dos artigos, emergiram quatro categorias de discussão: "A abordagem das PIC no SUS: principais práticas usadas"; "O acesso às PIC: a Atenção Básica à Saúde como porta de entrada"; "Atual cenário de implementação das PIC: o preparo dos serviços e dos profissionais da saúde para a realização das PIC"; "Principais avanços no uso das PIC e desafios futuros". Observa-se que as PIC são oferecidas de forma tímida e os dados disponíveis são escassos, apesar dos reflexos positivos para os usuários e para os serviços que aderiram à sua utilização.