General practitioners and classical homeopaths treatment models for asthma and allergy

Abstract

Complementary and alternative treatment (CAT) is increasingly popular with patients and health-care providers. In the western societies an increasing number of patients with asthma and allergy combine conventional and CAT. But health-care providers knowledge about the different treatment models applied within the conventional health care system and alternative treatment is generally poor. ‘Treatment model’ includes understanding of disease, diagnostic approach, treatment methods and expected effects of treatment. Different treatment models represent different social constructions of understanding. We present a conceptualization of general practitioners’ (GPs) and classic homeopaths’ (CHs) perceptions of their treatment models in patients with asthma and allergy. This is a first phase of a research project conducted in Denmark to study prerequisites for bridge building between conventional and alternative therapists.

The research questions were: How do the GPs and the CHs describe their treatment models for asthma and allergy? What are the differences and similarities between the treatment models? Is there a logical connection between the components of the GPs and CHs treatment models?

Six GPs and 11 CHs participated in semi-structured interviews. The main difference is in the GPs and CHs descriptions of the purpose of treatment. Similarities are found in the perception of a successful treatment. Both the GPs and the CHs experience treatment effects to be dependent on contextual conditions. Differences and similarities between treatment models are discussed in relation to potential bridge building between conventional and alternative health care.