Integration of acupuncture into conventional medicine from health professionals’ perspective: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

Abstract

Acupuncture is a prominent Complementary Medicine. Although health professionals' conceptions of acupuncture may affect its utilisation and integration within conventional medicine, these aspects have not been well studied. The aim of this review was to analyse the integration of acupuncture into conventional medicine from the perspective of health professionals. We conducted a systematic review and a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies that analysed the integration of acupuncture into conventional medicine grounded in participants' perspectives. A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library Plus, Scopus and CINAHL. This review included 18 articles: 6 analysed the viewpoint of physicians, 3 of nurses and 9 comprised different health-related professionals. Most of these studies included healthcare professionals practising acupuncture and took place in sites where the relation between acupuncture and biomedicine is favourable. The most used research techniques were convenience sampling, semi-structured interviews and interpretative approach. The holistic approach of acupuncture and its lack of adverse effects were highlighted by the analysed studies. This led to health professionals encouraging its integration into conventional medicine. The main obstacles perceived for the integration were lack of knowledge and institutional support. In general, acupuncture has been adapted to the biomedical model (often practised in an unsystematic and individual manner), and it is conceived as a supplement of Western medicine. 'Working together' and overcoming the biomedical model are recognised by the participants as key conditions for successful integration of acupuncture.

What led health professionals to study and practise acupuncture in Spain?

“…Moreover, the mechanistic vision of human beings in which the biomedical approach is based explained illness in terms of external toxic agents or malfunctioning of the organism (Goswami, 2008). Healthcare professionals seek to overcome this approach, which is consistent with other studies that underline the motivation of health professionals to enrich their vision of health considering other paradigms (García-Escamilla et al, 2015;Yeh et al, 2008). In this concern, our results support other studies that relate the benefits of acupuncture not just to improvements in physical symptoms but also in the emotional state, quality of life and well-being (Deng and Cassileth, 2009;Deng et al, 2004;Kemper et al, 2000;Vas et al, 2004).…”

“…Nevertheless, there are few studies that explore in detail the motivations of health professionals to study and practise acupuncture in Western countries. These motives have been recently collected in a qualitative systematic review (García-Escamilla et al, 2015). Accordingly, nurses underline the opportunity to develop themselves in a personal and professional way due to the emphasis on care and holistic healing (Johannessen, 2009(Johannessen, , 2011, while physicians associate their motivations with convictions, individual experiences on the effectiveness of acupuncture and personal knowledge (Marian et al, 2006;Rayner et al, 2011).…”

“…Existing research in the area includes different therapies with a disparity of characteristics and ways of application which hinders the understanding of acupuncture particularities. Moreover, it involves solely North-Western European countries (García-Escamilla et al, 2015).…”

Physicians’ views and experiences of discussing weight management within routine clinical consultations: A thematic synthesis

“…The study comprised four stages: (1) a systematic search of key databases, (2) record retrieval and screening for relevance, (3) critical appraisal, (4) thematic synthesis as described by Thomas and Harden (2008). This technique has been widely used by researchers to gain a deeper insight into HCPs' experiences within the health care system [46,47].…”

Acupuncture as Part of a Pediatric Pain Clinic in a Safety-Net Hospital: Acupuncture Wednesday

“…[35][36][37][38] The Academic Consortium of Integrative Medicine and Health lists more than 60 academic centers and their affiliates as members, 39 with many of the centers including alternative therapy options, such as meditation, massage, and acupuncture. 40,41 In addition, formal surveys of medical staff members have revealed a substantially positive attitude toward what was once considered a fringe field. [42][43][44] The BMC needs assessment showed that high regard and acceptance for the existing pediatric acupuncture service made it very likely to succeed as a core service offered in the Pediatric Pain Clinic.…”