Abstract
This article explores midlife women's experiences and approaches related to complementary and alternative therapies (CAMS). Ninety-six midlife women were asked about their use of CAMs as part of their overall approach to midlife health. Qualitative thematic analysis was combined with a case-based approach. Women set their experience of CAMs in the context of conventional medicine taking and discussed their safety and different uses. For treatments requiring direct contact with a practitioner, accessibility and quality of the relationship were crucial. Four overall approaches could be discerned (political-critical, pragmatic, careful and wellbeing-oriented) that dynamically interacted with women's experiences.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1046-67 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Health Care for Women International |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 12 |
Early online date | 16 Nov 2011 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- Questionnaires
- Attitude to Health
- Patient Satisfaction
- Women's Health
- Humans
- Quality of Life
- Great Britain
- Complementary Therapies
- Women's Health Services
- Patient Education as Topic
- Self Concept
- Patient Acceptance of Health Care
- Adult
- Holistic Health
- Middle Aged
- Female