CAM Use and Suggestions for Medical Care of Senior Citizens: A Qualitative Study Using the World Café Method

Abstract

Background. Little data exists concerning the reasons for using complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies by seniors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to learn about motives of German seniors for using CAM therapies and their wishes for health care in general. Methods. One focus group and one “World Café” following a semistructured interview guide were conducted. All discussions were recorded digitally, transcribed, and analyzed according to Qualitative Content Analysis using the software MAXQDA. Results. In total 21 seniors participated (eighteen female, three male, mean age 72.5 ± 4.3 years). Most of the participants had lifelong experiences with medicinal herbs and home remedies due to unavailable conventional care during childhood. Also important for them were nutrition and exercise. These methods were often used as self-care to enhance wellbeing, to prevent and to cure illnesses. The participants would welcome an integration of CAM in health care services. They asked especially for more empathic physicians who are better trained in CAM and respect their experiences. Conclusion. The importance of life experience in regard to health care by senior can be seen as a resource. Qualitative studies investigating physician-patient relationships and intergenerational aspects in CAM use could be of interest for further studies.

The “World Café” as a Participatory Method for Collecting Qualitative Data

“…In this way, WC data help to cross-check the validity of individual and group level. Convergence of results, as found in our data analysis, is supported by Stöckigt et al (2013) who employed FGD and WC on research exploring the use of alternative medicine among German senior citizens. This implies that WC should be used as a complementary-not the only-research method, thus reinforcing Roos and du Toit (2014) who advocate using a variety of data gathering methods to account for limitations.…”

“…It encourages mutual and reflective learning, supporting the development of new webs of personal relationships. In particular, the development of new ideas is especially well supported by the WC methodology (Stöckigt et al, 2013).…”

Implementation of Intentional Touch for Geriatric Patients with Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Pilot Study

“…More broadly, physical touch has various symbolic meanings, e.g., politeness associated with social greeting or comfort [1, 2]. Technological advances as well as economic constraints in health care have affected the very meaning of practitioner/patient touch; in fact, patients report feeling disappointed by the absence or infrequency of physical touch [3]. …”

Tapping into the wisdom in the room: results from participant discussion at the 7th International Conference on Diagnostic Error in Medicine facilitated by a World Café technique

“…The World Café, a method drawn from the system thinking community, provides one method to capture ideas and perspectives from a multidisciplinary group interested in and committed to improving diagnosis. The World Café process has been used to explore avenues for improvement in other complex challenges such as education reform, climate change, and public health initiates [7]. This is the first report of its application for discussing the complexity and difficulty with diagnostic error.…”