The characteristics, experiences and perceptions of naturopathic and herbal medicine practitioners: results from a national survey in New Zealand

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the popularity of naturopathic and herbal medicine in New Zealand there remains limited data on New Zealand-based naturopathic and herbal medicine practice.In response, this paper reports findings from the first national survey examining the characteristics, perceptions and experiences of New Zealand-based naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners across multiple domains relating to their role and practice.MethodsAn online survey (covering 6 domains: demographics; practice characteristics; research; integrative practice; regulation and funding; contribution to national health objectives) was administered to naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners. From a total of 338 naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners, 107 responded providing a response rate of 32%. Data were statistically analysed using STATA.ResultsA majority of the naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners surveyed were female (91%), and aged between 45 and 54 years. Most practiced part-time (64%), with practitioner caseloads averaging 8 new clients and over 20 follow-up clients per month.Our analysis shows that researched information impacts upon and is useful for naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners to validate their practices.However, the sources of researched information utilised by New Zealand naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners remain variable, with many sources beyond publications in peer-reviewed journals being utilised. Most naturopathic and herbal medicine practitioners (82%) supported registration, with statutory registration being favoured (75%). Integration with conventional care was considered desirable by the majority of naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners surveyed (83%).Naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners feel that they contribute to several key national health objectives, including: improved nutrition (93%); increased physical activity (85%); reducing incidence and impact of CVD (79%); reducing incidence and impact of cancer (68%).ConclusionsThere is a need for greater understanding and communication between practitioners of conventional care and naturopathic and herbal medicine which could support informed, coordinated and effective health provision within the New Zealand health care system. There is a need for further in-depth research examining naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners’ perceptions and practices, to provide insights of benefit to all those practising and managing health services as well as those directing health policy in New Zealand.

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].…”

Exploring the current working profiles of nutritional therapists to inform curriculum and professional development

“…The majority of this sample (89.2%) indicated that they achieve this with 80.6% reported referring to scientific journals, 67.2% attending industry events and 55.9% using internet fora. This is similar to what has been found in Naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners in New Zealand [37] where sources other than peer reviewed evidence are being used to inform practice. Industry events may be evidence-based but, because of commercial involvement, may be perceived as influenced by an element of conflict of interest and internet discussion groups, unless regulated may be of variable quality.…”

“…The age range is also consistent with other research into CAM practitioner profiles [36,37]. There are little research data available on NT specifically, however, according to Granger 2014et al [39], NT is a second career for many practitioners with Gale 2014 [30] asserting that many CAM practitioners consider their career as vocational.…”

“…If this was similar at the time of this data capture (2015) then the results may represent 6% of the male BANT registered NT's. This indicates that this therapy, as with other health care professions [35] and complementary therapies [36,37] tends to attract a female workforce. Taylor 2010 [36], suggests that four times more women than men are likely to engage in holistic professions and Cottingham et al2015 [37] also found a similar trend with a female majority, 91%, among Naturopaths and Herbal Medicine practitioners in New Zealand, as did Leach et al, 2014. (86.7%) [38] across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States and the United Kingdom.…”