Traditional and complementary medicine use among Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone: a qualitative exploratory study of the perspectives of healthcare workers providing care to Ebola survivors.

James, PB; Wardle, J; Steel, A; Adams, J; Bah, AJ; Sevalie, S

Traditional and complementary medicine use among Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone: a qualitative exploratory study of the perspectives of healthcare workers providing care to Ebola survivors.

James, PB Wardle, J Steel, A

Adams, J

Bah, AJ Sevalie, S

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Publisher:: BMC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2020, 20, (1), pp. 137
Issue Date:: 2020-05-06

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	James, PB
dc.contributor.author	Wardle, J
dc.contributor.author	Steel, A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6643-9444
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717
dc.contributor.author	Bah, AJ
dc.contributor.author	Sevalie, S
dc.date.accessioned	2020-08-18T02:19:08Z
dc.date.available	2020-04-22
dc.date.available	2020-08-18T02:19:08Z
dc.date.issued	2020-05-06
dc.identifier.citation	BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2020, 20, (1), pp. 137
dc.identifier.issn	2662-7671
dc.identifier.issn	2662-7671
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/142172
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND:Considerable number of patients, including Ebola survivors, in Sierra Leone, are using traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM). Healthcare providers' (HCPs) views about T&CM is crucial in addressing the increased need for T&CM among patients. However, healthcare providers' views about T&CM in Sierra Leone is unknown. Our study explores healthcare providers' knowledge of and perception towards T&CM and how that influence their personal and professional T&CM use, communication with Ebola survivors about T&CM as well as its integration into the healthcare system in Sierra Leone. METHODS:We employed a qualitative exploratory study design using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 15 conveniently sampled HCPs in all four geographical regions of Sierra Leone. We analysed our data using thematic network analysis framework. RESULTS:Healthcare providers perceived their knowledge about T&CM to be low and considered T&CM to be less effective and less safe than conventional medicine as well as not evidence-based. HCPs perception of T&CM as non-scientific and their lack of knowledge of T&CM were the key barriers to HCPs' self-use and recommendation as well as their lack of detailed discussion about T&CM with Ebola survivors. HCPs are open to T&CM integration into mainstream healthcare in Sierra Leone although at their terms. However, they believe that T&CM integration could be enhanced by effective professional regulation of T&CM practice, and by improving T&CM evidenced-based knowledge through education, training and research. CONCLUSION:Changing HCPs' negative perception of and increasing their knowledge about T&CM is critical to promoting effective communication with Ebola survivors regarding T&CM and its integration into the healthcare system in Sierra Leone. Strategies such as educational interventions for HCPs, conducting rigorous T&CM research, proper education and training of T&CM practitioners and effective professional regulation of T&CM practice could help in that direction.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMC
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC complementary medicine and therapies
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12906-020-02931-6
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Traditional and complementary medicine use among Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone: a qualitative exploratory study of the perspectives of healthcare workers providing care to Ebola survivors.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	20
utslib.location.activity	England
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2020-08-18T02:18:41Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	20
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:Considerable number of patients, including Ebola survivors, in Sierra Leone, are using traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM). Healthcare providers' (HCPs) views about T&CM is crucial in addressing the increased need for T&CM among patients. However, healthcare providers' views about T&CM in Sierra Leone is unknown. Our study explores healthcare providers' knowledge of and perception towards T&CM and how that influence their personal and professional T&CM use, communication with Ebola survivors about T&CM as well as its integration into the healthcare system in Sierra Leone. METHODS:We employed a qualitative exploratory study design using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 15 conveniently sampled HCPs in all four geographical regions of Sierra Leone. We analysed our data using thematic network analysis framework. RESULTS:Healthcare providers perceived their knowledge about T&CM to be low and considered T&CM to be less effective and less safe than conventional medicine as well as not evidence-based. HCPs perception of T&CM as non-scientific and their lack of knowledge of T&CM were the key barriers to HCPs' self-use and recommendation as well as their lack of detailed discussion about T&CM with Ebola survivors. HCPs are open to T&CM integration into mainstream healthcare in Sierra Leone although at their terms. However, they believe that T&CM integration could be enhanced by effective professional regulation of T&CM practice, and by improving T&CM evidenced-based knowledge through education, training and research. CONCLUSION:Changing HCPs' negative perception of and increasing their knowledge about T&CM is critical to promoting effective communication with Ebola survivors regarding T&CM and its integration into the healthcare system in Sierra Leone. Strategies such as educational interventions for HCPs, conducting rigorous T&CM research, proper education and training of T&CM practitioners and effective professional regulation of T&CM practice could help in that direction.

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