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Author: search.filters.author.Gumede, LindiweSubject: search.filters.subject.Allopathic medicine practitioners

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    Allopathic medicine practitioners' experiences with non-disclosure of traditional medicine use
    (AOSIS, 2024-01-31) Gumede, Lindiwe; Nkosi, Pauline B.; Sibiya, Maureen Nokuthula
    A pertinent issue impacting patient treatment outcomes is the nondisclosure of traditional medicine (TM) use to Allopathic medicine practitioners (AMPs). For years, TM has been a controversial practice, with patients often using it alongside allopathic medicine without disclosing their use. It is imperitive to learn and understand the experiences of AMPs regarding the disclosure of TM use in Gauteng province to enable them to provide the best possible treatment outcomes for patients who use TM.

    Aim

    This study aimed to explore the experiences of AMPs regarding non-disclosure of TM use in Gauteng province.

    Setting

    This study was conducted in four district hospitals where outpatient care and services are rendered in Gauteng Province.

    Methods

    An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) design was followed. Fourteen purposefully sampled AMPs participated in face-to-face, one-on-one, and semi-structured interviews. Interpretive phenomenological analysis in Atlas.ti was conducted.

    Results

    Three themes emerged: bedside manner of AMPs; stigmatising TM use; and individual belief systems. The belief of patients' disclosure hesitancy because of fear of judgment by the AMPs underpinned these themes.

    Conclusion

    Allopathic medicine practitioners are aware that patients who use TM could feel guilty and stigmatised. They acknowledged that patients use TM because of cultural and ethnic reasons, which should not be disregarded.

    Contribution

    The study highlighted that patients do not disclose their TM use because of AMPs' attitudes, stigmatising TM use, and their prejudices against the cultural beliefs of patients. Allopathic medicine practitioners should establish good communication with patients by providing patient-centred communication to facilitate disclosure of TM use.
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    Guidelines for disclosure of traditional medicine use to allopathic medicine practitioners by patients who use both traditional and allopathic medicines at selected hospitals in Gauteng, South Africa
    (2022-11) Gumede, Lindiwe; Nkosi, Pauline Busisiwe; Sibiya, Maureen Nokuthula
    Background Within the South African context, the concurrent use of traditional medicine (TM) and allopathic medicine (AM) is often not disclosed to allopathic medicine practitioners (AMPs) during a consultation. It is quite common for patients to consult with traditional health practitioners (THPs) prior to reaching out to AMPs for further assistance. When compared to AM, TM used by patients who use both TM and AM has on many occasions been perceived as a sub-standard treatment option. Non-disclosure of TM use by patients who use both TM and AM may render the AM prescribed by the AMPs ineffective if not detected in a timely manner. While there is literature that identifies the reasons why patients who use both TM and AM do not disclose this to AMPs during a consultation, no guidelines have been developed to focus on facilitating disclosure by these patients. Aim The aim of the research was to explore and describe the perceptions of AMPs regarding disclosure of TM use to AMPs by patients who use both TM and AM and ultimately to develop guidelines for disclosure of TM use to AMPs at selected hospitals in Gauteng. Methodology An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative research design was employed. The opinions of AMPs who met the non-probability, purposive sampling inclusion criteria were explored and described. Data was gathered through one-on-one, masked semi-structured interviews and qualitative observations of AMPs in their natural environment. The findings were triangulated and integrated with Petronio's communication privacy management (CPM) theory as a theoretical framework informing the study to help delineate correspondence concerning the phenomenon. Findings The findings of the one-on-one, semi-structured interviews reveal that the practice of AMPs in Gauteng regarding the concurrent use of TM and AM by patients they consult with is limited by their knowledge of the TM used by these patients. Secondary elements of non-disclosure include stigma, AMP attitudes, AMP training, belief systems, lack of knowledge, lack of communication skills, scoffing at TM and prejudice. The research findings prompted the development of guidelines and recommendations for stakeholders involved in patient care and management in Gauteng.