HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (7) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Richardson, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Richardson, J. Related Collections Health Care Facilities/Services Other Health Service Delivery Surveys

Janet Richardson, PhD, BSc, CPsychol, RN

Janet Richardson is Research Director of the School of Integrated Health, University of Westminster, London, England.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Janet Richardson, PhD, School of Integrated Health, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish St, London W1W 6UW, England (e-mail: j.richardson01{at}westminster.ac.uk).

Objectives. Complementary and alternative therapies have become popular with patients in Western countries. Studies have suggested motivations for patients’ choosing a wide range of complementary therapies. Data on the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy are limited. We assessed the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy.

Methods. Patients attending a British National Health Service (NHS) outpatient department that provided acupuncture, osteopathy, and homoeopathy were asked to complete a qualitative survey.

Results. Patients expected symptom relief, information, a holistic approach, improved quality of life, self-help advice, and wide availability of such therapies on the NHS.

Conclusions. Physicians’ understanding of patients’ expectations of complementary therapies will help patients make appropriate and realistic treatment choices.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Burke, T. Kuo, R. Harvey, and J. Wang An International Comparison of Attitudes Toward Traditional and Modern Medicine in a Chinese and an American Clinic Setting Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., October 7, 2008; (2008) nen065v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. M. Sirois and R. J. Purc-Stephenson Consumer Decision Factors for Initial and Long-Term Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Complementary Health Practice Review, January 1, 2008; 13(1): 3 - 19. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Freidin and S. Timmermans Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Children's Asthma: Satisfaction, Care Provider Responsiveness, and Networks of Care Qual Health Res, January 1, 2008; 18(1): 43 - 55. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. L. Bishop, L. Yardley, and G. T. Lewith A Systematic Review of Beliefs Involved in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine J Health Psychol, November 1, 2007; 12(6): 851 - 867. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Ernst Herbal remedies for depression and anxiety Adv. Psychiatr. Treat., July 1, 2007; 13(4): 312 - 316. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Nelson Being in Tune With Life: Complementary Therapy Use and Well-Being in Residential Hospice Residents J Holist Nurs, September 1, 2006; 24(3): 152 - 161. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. C. I. Tsao, M. Meldrum, B. Bursch, M. C. Jacob, S. C. Kim, and L. K. Zeltzer Treatment Expectations for CAM Interventions in Pediatric Chronic Pain Patients and their Parents Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., December 1, 2005; 2(4): 521 - 527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]