USING FOCUS GROUPS TO UNDERSTAND ARTHRITIS PATIENTS PERCEPTIONS ABOUTUNCONVENTIONAL THERAPY

Objective. To understand arthritis patients' use of unconventional the rapies (UT). Methods. Thirty-three rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthr itis patients followed in university clinics participated in 5 focus g roups to discuss: their beliefs about arthritis and UT; UT they have u sed; reasons for using UT; effectiveness of UT; sources of information on UT; and communication about UT with the physician. Two investigato rs analyzed focus group transcripts to identify common themes. Results . All patients believed arthritis to be incurable by conventional regi mens or UT. Over one-half had used UT to relieve pain; cost was unimpo rtant. Patients trusted information about UT from family, friends, and others with arthritis, but not supermarket tabloids or television com mercials. Most discussed UT use with their physician, primarily to pre vent interactions with prescribed treatments. Physicians' reactions ra nged from ridicule to giving permission to continue using UT. Conclusi ons. These results provide an understanding of arthritis patients' mot ives for using UT and for discussing this behavior with their physicia n.