Job profile of non-medical practitioners: a cross-sectional study from the health service perspective

Background: The demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is rising. The German ‘Heilpraktiker' is a non-medical naturopathic practitioner (NMNP) providing CAM. Their numbers are rising constantly; however, little is known about their practices and reasons for consultation and on...

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Hauptverfasser: Kattge, Stefanie (VerfasserIn) , Götz, Katja (VerfasserIn) , Glassen, Katharina (VerfasserIn) , Steinhäuser, Jost (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: October 2017
In: Complementary medicine research
Year: 2017, Jahrgang: 24, Heft: 5, Pages: 285-289
ISSN:2504-2106
DOI:10.1159/000471851
Online-Zugang:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000471851
Verlag, Volltext: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/471851
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Verfasserangaben:Stefanie Kattge, Katja Goetz, Katharina Glassen, Jost Steinhäuser
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Zusammenfassung:Background: The demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is rising. The German ‘Heilpraktiker' is a non-medical naturopathic practitioner (NMNP) providing CAM. Their numbers are rising constantly; however, little is known about their practices and reasons for consultation and on what kind of treatment they offer. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> All 1,096 NMNPs in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein were invited to participate in a questionnaire study to gain first insights into their nearly unexplored group setting. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 262 NMNPs responded to the itemized questionnaire; 60 answered the questionnaire suggested for non-responders. Out of the 262 NMNPs, 211 (81%) were female. The average age was 53 years. Analyzing the most frequent reasons for consultation, 68.2% were found to be general and unspecified reasons, followed by psychological causes (64.1%) and musculoskeletal complaints (53.1%). About 68% of the participants treat conditions of pain. The most commonly used group of methods was found to comprise para-medicinal procedures. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our analysis gives first insights into the occupational profile of the German NMNPs, their scope of activities and treatment methods. It is a first step towards health service research that might provide a basis for further studies.
Beschreibung:Gesehen am 16.07.2018
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:2504-2106
DOI:10.1159/000471851