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Author: search.filters.author.Gumede, LindiweSubject: search.filters.subject.South Africa

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    Allopathic medicine practitioners' perspectives on facilitating disclosure of traditional medicine use in Gauteng, South Africa : a qualitative study
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2023-12-12) Gumede, Lindiwe; Nkosi, Pauline B.; Sibiya, Maureen N.
    Traditional medicine (TM) plays a key role in maintaining health in many societies. Given the requirement for TM disclosure, Allopathic Medicine Practitioners (AMPs) must encourage open communication with patients to persuade those who use TM to disclose. Addressing patient non-disclosure of TM requires this dialogue to be facilitated. We sought to understand and describe how South African AMPs facilitate disclosure of TM use during a consultation with patients who use both TM and allopathic medicine (AM) and how it influences the patients' willingness to disclose TM use.

    Methods

    This qualitative exploratory descriptive study on AMPs at Gauteng district public hospitals in South Africa was conducted between 2021 and 2022. Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to select a sample of 14 AMPs. Individual participants were encouraged to share their unique experiences and interpretations of the phenomenon concerning TM use disclosure. The raw transcribed textual data were processed using ATLAS.ti, and inductive content analysis was undertaken following the coding of the content to identify categories.

    Results

    The data revealed four major categories: 'providing a suitable atmosphere for disclosure,' 'encouraging patients to disclose TM usage to AMPs,' 'patient autonomy,' and 'AMP training'. During a consultation with patients who use both TM and AM, participants expressed their experiences and perceptions of TM nondisclosure. They also discussed several methods for encouraging patients to disclose their TM usage, particularly when TM is used concurrently with AM.

    Conclusion

    This study expands on previously reported findings by describing how South African AMPs facilitate the disclosure of TM use during consultation. Many AMPs struggle to initiate TM conversations with their patients which results in non-disclosure. This study revealed that integrating TM into AM training programmes, promoting cross-practice, and creating a safe environment is necessary for the development and application of the most appropriate approaches that would assist in facilitating disclosure.
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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.