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Roads Less Traveled: Finding a Path to Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Vandhana Ramadurai¹, Barbara F Sharf², Srividya Ramasubramanian²

¹Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA vandyramadurai@gmail.com.

Qualitative Health Research

|April 18, 2015

Summary

Many adults use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This study identified three user types—natives, immigrants, and tourists—and developed The Pathfinder Model to understand CAM usage motivations and empowerment.

Keywords:

Southwestern United States complementary and alternative medicine decision making health seeking interviews narrative analysis qualitative

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Area of Science:

Integrative Medicine
Sociology of Health
Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

A significant portion of US adults utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Existing research often overlooks the diversity among CAM users regarding their health beliefs and personal histories.
Understanding the heterogeneity of CAM users is crucial for effective healthcare communication.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the narratives of individuals using CAM to understand their motivations.
To identify distinct clusters of CAM users based on their life stories and decision-making processes.
To develop a model that explains the objectives, motives, and empowerment of CAM users.

Main Methods:

Qualitative analysis of life stories from 18 individuals who use CAM.
Identification of common themes and patterns within the narratives.
Development of typologies and a theoretical model based on narrative analysis.

Main Results:

Three distinct clusters of CAM users were identified: natives, immigrants, and tourists.
The Pathfinder Model was theorized, incorporating three dimensions explaining user objectives, motives, and empowerment.
Narrative analysis revealed how life stories shape CAM usage decisions.

Conclusions:

The Pathfinder Model offers a framework for understanding diverse CAM user experiences.
This model can enhance self-understanding for CAM users and improve communication between patients and practitioners.
Recognizing individual health-seeking paths can optimize patient-practitioner relationships and educational strategies.