RECENT RESEARCH
effort and collaboration across a range of CAM stakeholders and across multiple sectors . Further research can contribute to the evidence base on how best to address these barriers to promote the conduct and application of research in CAM .
Steel A , Leach M , Brosnan C et al .
aturopaths ’ mobilisation of knowledge and information in clinical practice : an international cross-sectional survey . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 ; 21 ( 205 ). https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03383-2
Background : The contemporary evidence-based practice model acknowledges the importance of patient preferences and clinician experience when applying evidence within a clinical setting . Knowledge mobilisation ( KM ) acknowledges the complexities of knowledge translation by recognising and respecting diversity in types of knowledge and how such diversity can influence health care and health care choices . While there has been considerable discussion on KM in health care , it has received little attention in the field of naturopathy . Despite naturopathy ’ s widespread international use , it is unclear how naturopathic practitioners ( NPs ) use and share knowledge and information in clinical practice . This study examines the mobilisation of knowledge amongst NPs internationally .
Methods : Online , international , crosssectional survey of a self-selected sample of NPs from any country , that were either currently in clinical practice or had been in practice within the previous 12 months . The survey was administered in five languages ( English , French , Portuguese , Spanish , German ). Descriptive statistics were prepared for all survey items .
Results : The survey was completed by 478 NPs who reported using an average of seven ( median = 7 , SD = 2.6 ) information sources to inform patient care . NPs also drew on knowledge gained through patients sharing their perspectives of living with their health condition ( Always / Most of the time : 89.3 %). They mostly sought knowledge about how a treatment might benefit a patient , as well as knowledge about treatment safety and a better understanding of a patient ’ s health condition . NPs frequently reported sharing knowledge developed through consideration of the patient ’ s unique needs ( 83.3 %), and primarily shared knowledge by producing information for the public ( 72.6 %) and for patients ( 72.2 %).
Conclusions : Based on these findings , it may be argued that NPs practice knowledge mobilisation ; employing multiple forms and sources of knowledge , and mobilising knowledge to - as well as from - others . Due to their active engagement in patient and community education , NPs also may be considered knowledge brokers . In the context of the growing understanding of the complexities of knowledge translation and mobilisation in contemporary health care – and particularly within the context of implementation science – this study provides novel insights into an underresearched element of health services accessed by the community .
Graham KD , Steel A , Wardle J .
The intersection between models of health and how healing transpires : A metaethnographic synthesis of complementary medicine practitioners ' perceptions . The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine . 2021 ; 27 ( 7 ): 538 – 549 . https :// doi . org / 10.1089 / acm . 2020.0521
Introduction : This metaethnography provides an interpretative synthesis of complementary medicine ( CM ) practitioners ' perceptions toward their health model and the healing process . CM is commonly described on the basis of its distinction from biomedicine with limited research available on CM practitioners ' understanding of what the essence of their practice is and how healing transpires as a result . This is despite the significant patronage of CM and high rates of couse with biomedical services .
Materials and Methods : An extensive and systematic search of the literature was conducted across seven databases ( AMED , SINAHL , Medline , PsycINFO , PUBMED , Science Direct , and Scopus ) with no date , language , or region restrictions applied . The basis for the search was MeSH terms and keywords relating to ( 1 ) CM practitioners , ( 2 ) perceptions , and ( 3 ) healing . A screening process was conducted and articles were identified for inclusion based on their addressing the research question . These articles were then quality appraised . A seven-stage metaethnographic framework was utilized to assist with identifying and interpreting the themes within the data .
Results : Following the screening process , merely 10 qualitative studies were identified , which represented practitioner views across 22 CM professions . CM practitioners believe they provide a distinct model of care informed by a traditional shared holistic and vitalistic philosophy . Nonspecific factors , such as an augmented therapeutic relationship , empathy , and patient empowerment , are actively and deliberately incorporated into the treatment process alongside specific interventions and afforded equal valued .
Conclusions : This metaethnographic synthesis brings together the perceptions of CM practitioners on how healing transpires within the CM clinical setting . In a context of medical pluralism and aspirational integrative health care , this synthesis highlights the understanding and approach CM practitioners bring to health management and may assist in further defining CM philosophy and practice , and the positioning of CM in the contemporary health care landscape .
164 | vol27 | no3 | JATMS