Katrina Telford
What is it about the NHS that makes people turn to Herbal Medicine
Abstract
A group of clients at one herbal practice were surveyed by questionnaire, to find out why they felt it necessary to use Herbal Medcine, when they had NHS treatment available. No single reason emerged. Clients appear to be making their own healthcare decisions, with no referrals from other healthcare providers. These decisions involve value judgements on the danger of side effects of orthodox medicine and assessing the efficacy of NHS treatment. Half felt they have reached the limits of effective treatment possibilities and are willing to use pluralistic medicine. The majority have used herbal medicine before and think it can treat serious illness. The most important factors in treatment to clients are:- "Feeling better, being treated as a "whole" person, causual v symptomatic treatment and using "natural" substances. Equally important was the type of practitioner, one that is open to other healthcare interventions and would give time to listen, understand the client and explain illness, thus enabling a dynamic relationship of client and practitioner to manage/cure the clients problem".
