'Getting somewhere', feeling cared for: patients' perspectives on complementary therapies in the NHS

Objective: To examine satisfaction with complementary therapy among patient s receiving treatment funded within the National Health Service (NHS). Desi gn: Semi-structured interviews using a critical incident approach (n=49). S etting: 8 sites across England providing complementary therapy services wit hin primary care. Results: Complementary therapies are experienced as ameli orating and curing conditions, including chronic problems. Patients also pe rceive complementary practitioners as being caring and value the developmen t of a therapeutic relationship within which they are encouraged to take an active part in looking after their health. Positive experiences of complem entary therapy use were contrasted with either a failure of orthodox medici ne or a dislike of the orthodox treatments available to them. Very few nega tive aspects were reported. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction was consisten t across settings and type of therapy received. The findings reinforce mess ages from studies of users in the private sector, but also suggest that for NHS users commitment to treatment develops largely as a result of positive experience rather than prior beliefs. Implications of the findings for res earch and policy are considered. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.