Job Profile of Non-Medical Practitioners: A Cross- Sectional Study from the Health Service Perspective

Abstract

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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

Traditional Health Practitioners in Indonesia: Their Profile, Practice and Treatment Characteristics

“…Similar sociodemographic characteristics were found among traditional health practitioners in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania [10,11,12]. Among complementary medicine practitioners in high-income countries, there was also a preponderance of women, but they were a little younger in age (middle-aged, > 40 years) and had higher levels of education (vocational or higher degree) than the traditional health practitioners in our study in Indonesia and in African countries [14,15,16,17]. Greater levels of education could contribute to better awareness, skills, and sustainability of the traditional health care profession [12].…”

“…Larger surveys among complementary practitioners in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA found sociodemographic characteristics (most practitioners were female [14,15,16,17], middle-aged, > 40 years old [14,15,17], held a vocational or higher education degree [16,17]) and practice characteristics (most practitioners had 10 or more years of practice [18], most worked full-time [17], part-time [14], had 7-24 clients per week [14,18,19], the initial consultation and treatment lasted for 30-120 min [16], and high referral between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and orthodox practitioners [16]). Most complementary practitioners used several treatment modalities [16,18].…”

“…Most complementary practitioners used several treatment modalities [16,18]. In Northern Germany, the most frequent reasons for consultation were general and unspecified reasons (68.2%), psychological causes (64.1%), and musculoskeletal complaints (53.1%) [15]. Commonly, the practitioners used treatment methods including para-medicinal procedures [15].…”

“…In Northern Germany, the most frequent reasons for consultation were general and unspecified reasons (68.2%), psychological causes (64.1%), and musculoskeletal complaints (53.1%) [15]. Commonly, the practitioners used treatment methods including para-medicinal procedures [15]. In the same study in Germany, a lower average contact time per patient and ‘higher satisfaction with the opportunity to use abilities' was associated with a high patient throughput [19].…”

The Phenomena of Naturopathic Practitioner: Predictors of a High Patient Throughput

“…The naturopathic practitioners offered a broad range of treatment methods from para-medicinal treatment such as bioresonance therapy or iris diagnosis to classic natural remedy methods such as phytotherapy or balanced nutrition [ 9 ]. The naturopathic practitioner has a direct treatment contract with the patient and has therapeutic freedom in his/her practice.…”