Integrated medicine in the management of XXXX : a qualitative study.

@entity1 @entity102
BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular with @entity1 , yet how @entity1 use CAM in relation to orthodox medicine (OM) is poorly understood. AIM: To explore how @entity1 integrate CAM and OM when self-managing @entity102 . DESIGN OF STUDY: Qualitative analysis of interviews. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals attending private CAM practices in the UK, who had had a chronic benign condition for 12 months and were using CAM alongside OM for more than 3 months. @entity1 were selected to create a maximum variation sample. The interviews were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Thirty five @entity1 interviews were conducted and seven categories of use were identified: using CAM to facilitate OM use; using OM to support long-term CAM use; using CAM to reduce OM; using CAM to avoid OM; using CAM to replace OM; maximising relief using both CAM and OM; and returning to OM. @entity1 described initiating CAM use following a perceived lack of suitable orthodox treatment. @entity1 rejecting OM for a specific condition never totally rejected OM in favour of CAM. CONCLUSION: @entity1 utilise CAM and OM in identifiably different ways, individualising and integrating both approaches to manage their chronic conditions. To support @entity1 and prevent potential adverse interactions, open dialogue between @entity1 , OM practitioners, and CAM practitioners must be improved.
