Vignette Based Qualitative - Essay Example

? Vignette-Based Qualitative Research Study: Exploring Personal Experience(s) of Receiving Complimentary Medicine Treatment IDNumber Course Title & Code Instructor’s Name Date Total Number of Words: 1,580 Introduction The purpose of this study is to explore the personal experience(s) of people who have received complimentary medical treatment in the past. Basically, this particular vignette-based qualitative research study is composed of four major parts which includes my personal reflection with regard to the positive experience behind conducting the actual interview, providing evidences behind the actual research interview using a simple thematic analysis, and the actual discussion of the research interview analysis. Prior to the study conclusion, part four of this report will focus on the reflection behind the experience of participating in a research team. Part One: Reflection on the Experience of the Interview This study requires the interviewer to conduct the actual interview with the qualified interviewee (participant) for only 20 to 30 minutes. Due to a limited time given to complete the actual research interview, it was essential on the part of the research interviewer to develop a set of related interview questions which would serve as a guide on what to ask during the actual interview session. Through the use of a semi-structured interview questionnaire, the research interviewer was able to gather a more subjective response to each of the related research interview questions (Cohen, Manion and Morisson, 2007, p. 356; Bell, 2005, p. 157). It also empowered the research interviewer to come up with a more descriptive response to each question (Houtkoop-Steenstra, 2000, p. 54). In other words, the rationale for using a semi-structured interview questionnaire is to ensure that the research interviewer will be able to maximize the use of the limited time without taking the risks of gathering irrelevant data from the qualified research participant. With regard to the role of the research interviewer, I learned that the research interviewer is responsible for controlling the flow of the interview. During the actual research interview, I noticed that there were several instances wherein the research interviewer would unconsciously or unintentionally interrupt the research participant while verbally expressing her personal opinion and experiences about complementary medicine treatments. In most cases, the process of interrupting the research participant during the actual interview slows down the two-way communication process between the interviewer and the research participant. Therefore, to improve the interview experience, the research interviewer should learn to give respect and be more sensitive to the research participant’s feelings. It means that each time the research participant is talking the research interviewer should avoid interrupting the other party unless the conversation is already heading off the topic. This is the first time I am directly involved in a research interview study. Therefore, my initial expectation was that the entire research interview process would be very formal. However, it turned out to be otherwise. After the research interviewer was able to win the interest of the research participant, the entire interview process became similar to an ordinary conversation with a friend. At some point, there were instances wherein the research participant would be “giggling” while telling us her story. I guess this is a good sign since “giggling” and being relaxed throughout the entire research interview process would mean that the research participant has really been spontaneously describing her personal experiences to us. The semi-research interview questionnaire which was presented on [Appendix A] was purposely designed to guide the research interviewer on what to ask during the actual research interview process. However, the research participant had been very eager in sharing her own personal experiences. To avoid disrespecting the research participant or disrupting the flow of the conversation, the research interviewer had to exert extra effort to redirect the conversation topic back to the questions listed on [Appendix A]. Part Two: Evidence of Conducting a Simple Thematic Analysis After completing the transcript which is presented on [Appendix E], colours like pink, green, red, yellow, blue, and grey were used to identify subjective response pertaining to the benefits of receiving a complimentary medicine treatment such as acupuncture, the patients’ expectations when receiving acupuncture, the required length of the treatment, the importance of therapeutic relationship, its limitations, and procedure/informed consent respectively. (See Table I – Summary of the Colour Coding Scheme below) Table I – Summary of the Colour Coding Scheme Colour Code Six (6) Major Themes Pink Benefits Green Expectations Red Length of Treatment Yellow Importance of Therapeutic Relationship Blue Limitations Grey Procedure/Informed Consent To view the summary description of the colour coding and the six (6) major themes, kindly refer to [Appendix F] presented on page 24. Part Three: Discussion Based on the transcript presented on [Appendix E], the benefits of acupuncture are mostly for pleasure and health or medical treatment such as treating shoulder problems. As compared to a more commercialized acupuncturist, there are limitations to GP who performs acupuncture. Although GPs are capable of explaining the procedure, GPs may not be able to fully understand how acupuncture really works. The only benefit that patients could get out of GP who performs acupuncture is getting more time from them as compared to a normal medical consultation [See Appendix F – Benefits and Limitations]. With regard to acupuncture, the length of treatment would normally last for half-an-hour for a maximum of three (3) treatments. [See Appendix F – Length of Treatment] Similar to any other form of traditional medicine, practitioners of complementary medicine treatment are required to observe the practice of informed consent. As part of offering acupuncture to the patient, GPs should first explain what acupuncture is and what benefits or discomfort it can bring to the patient. The only time practitioners can practice acupuncture is when the patient agrees to receive the said complementary medicine treatment. Other procedural information that each practitioner should give includes how long each session will last, how many sessions is needed, inform the patient about needling and where exactly will the needles be inserted, etc. [See Appendix F – Procedure/Informed Consent] The research participant had a lot of expectations when it comes to the practice of acupuncture. According to the research participant, “the actual room didn’t matter very much” …”I think is more to do with the person than the place” [see transcript line 184, 195]. She also stated that she had the idea that acupuncture would hurt her but it did not. Although patients can be very happy with the results of acupuncture, most patients would expect the practitioners to spend more time talking with them about the benefits of acupuncture. Since acupuncture would normally last only for a maximum of 30-minutes, some people may feel that they are not really getting their money’s worth. Therefore, people who practice acupuncture should go beyond needling in the sense that they should carefully observe the importance of holistic caring approach. [See Appendix F – Expectations and Therapeutic Relationship] The six major themes presented in this report are linked with one another. Basically, to maximize the benefits of complementary medicine treatment, practitioners should not only win the trust of the patients by observing the importance of informed consent but also to deliver therapeutic relationship with the patients. The length of the treatment matters not only in terms of enabling the acupuncturists to incorporate the aspect of therapeutic relationship with acupuncture but also to meet the client’s expectations. With regard to the limitations, GP’s knowledge or full understanding with the practice of acupuncture also matters when it comes to winning the patients’ trust. These themes are not so surprising since it is a common knowledge or a common expectation for healthcare professionals to deliver holistic care to their patients. Published on The Permanente Journal, Vuckovic and Wick (1999) conducted a semi-structured interview with 29 Health Plan members in Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) with regard to the use of CAM in treating cancer (i.e. breast, colon, or prostate). Similar to the research findings presented in [Appendix E], people are using CAM for health and treatment purposes. In line with this, some people may use CAM alone while others combine the use of CAM with other conventional treatments (Vuckovic and Wick, 1999). Furthermore, Vuckovic and Wick (1999) stated that “participants in our CACAM study characterized CAM as natural and holistic (i.e. treating the whole person)”. It only means that therapeutic relationship between the practitioners and the patients is important behind the success of CAM therapies. Part Four: Reflection on the Experience of Participating in a Research Team Conducting research work requires a lot of reading and logical thinking. Therefore, patience is necessary for students to be able to complete a successful dissertation study next school year. Participating in a research team was good because I was able to brain storm with my group mates with regard to the proper way of developing the semi-structured questionnaire and how to record the actual interview among others. In fact, teamwork is one of the factors that enabled us to complete this research activity successfully. Since all of us were keen to share our own ideas, there were few cases wherein miscommunication happened. To avoid future conflicts, the best way to conduct teamwork is to establish trust and a two-way communication among the team members. As a researcher, I realized that I am capable of gathering useful and relevant materials for literature review. As a team member, I should focus more on how to develop myself as a good team leader. Conclusion To ensure that the delivery of CAM treatment is successful, practitioners should be able to win the trust of the patients. This can be done by strictly observing the law of informed consent. In general, healthcare professionals are mandated to deliver holistic care to their patients. Since the duration of CAM treatment hinders the development of therapeutic relationship between the practitioners and the patients, CAM practitioners should consider spending more time communicating with their patients. Reference List Bell, J. (2005). Doing Your Research Project 4e. Berkshire: Open University Press. Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morisson, K. (2007). Research Methods Education. Oxon, OX: Routledge. Houtkoop-Steenstra, H. (2000). Interaction and the Standardized Survey Interview: The Living Questionnaire. Cambridge: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. Vuckovic, N. and Wick, J. (1999). Oncology Patients’ Experience with Complementary and Alternative Forms of Therapy: A Preliminary Report. The Permanente Journal, 3(2), pp. 40-43. Appendix A – Interview Guide – Semi-Structured Interview Questionnaire Interview Date: _____________________ 1. Good morning. I am here to conduct an interview with regard to your personal experience after receiving a complimentary medicine treatment. Please tell me what you know about Complementary Alternative Medicine CAM? 2. Which therapy would you like to talk about today? 3. What made you choose this therapy? 4. Where did you receive this treatment? 5. How did you feel when you arrive at the treatment location? 6. What was your first impression when you met the therapist? 7. What was your opinion of the treatment room? 8. How comfortable you felt in the treatment room? 9. What did the therapist do to make you feel that way? 10. How well the therapist explained the therapy and the treatment plan to you? 11. Did you agree with the treatment plan? 12. Were you involved in decision-making regarding the treatment plan? 13. How clear was the information given by the therapist? 14. How well did the therapist engage with you? 15. How empathetic or understanding was the therapist? 16. How many treatment(s) were you given in that session? 17. What were your expectations of the treatment(s)? 18. How were these expectations met? 19. What were the benefits of the treatment(s)? 20. What made you feel that way? 21. Did you complete the course of follow up treatment recommended by therapist? (A) If Yes- were you satisfied with them? (B) If No- would like to tell me why? 22. Were there any drawback regarding treatment? 23. Did receive home care advice after treatment? 24. How cost effective was or were the treatment (s)? 25. Would you have treatment regularly? 26. What other Complementary Alternative Medicine therapy treatment would like to have in the future? 27. Would you recommend Complementary Alternative Medicine therapy to others? 28. What do you think of Complementary Alternative Medicine been offered by the NHS? 29. Is there anything else you would like to discuss on your experience of receiving Complementary Alternative Medicine? 30. Thank you. Appendix B – Roles of Each Members of the Team Appendix C – Informed Consent Form Project: Exploring personal experience(s) of receiving CAM treatment I agree to take part in the above study.  I have had the project explained to me, and I have read the explanatory sheet “Information for Interview Volunteers”, which I may keep for my records.  I understand that agreeing to take part means that I am willing to: Be interviewed by the researcher Allow the researcher to take notes about the interview Allow interview to be audio recorded for later reference Data Protection I understand that any information I provide is confidential, and that no information that could lead to the identification of any individual will be disclosed in any reports on the project, or to any other party. Only the researchers Jadelin Gambo, Achara Chavanakunakorn and Selina Khan who asks the questions and has access to this confidential Information. The co-researchers Dr Damien Ridges and Peter Davis will have access to type up notes with identifying information removed. No identifiable personal data will be published. The identifiable data will not be shared with any other organisation. I understand that the information I provide will be held and processed for the following purpose: To be used in a report related to this research. I agree to University of Westminster keeping and processing this information about me from my interview. I understand that this information will be used only for the purpose set out in the explanatory sheet “Information for Interview Volunteers” and my consent is conditional on the University complying with its duties and obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.  Withdrawal from Study I understand that my participation is voluntary, that I can choose not to participate in part or all of the project, and that I can withdraw at any stage of the project without any questions being asked, and without being penalised or disadvantaged in any way by the University of Westminster. Tape recording the study I agree that the interviewer may tape record my interview (please tick the box to indicate whether you agree) Yes No Name: ..................................................................................... Signature: ………...................................................................…… Date: ……………………..…………………........................…. Appendix D – CD Record of the Actual Interview Appendix E – Simple Thematic Analysis of the Ten-Minute Extract 1 P: I think acupuncture was the first therapy that I’ve used (Pause) erm …as a sort of like, 2 a medical treatment, health treatment if you like, rather than... I mean I did lots of aroma 3 therapy, and things like that but they more often of a pleasure (benefits) 4 I: Yeah 5 P: whereas the acupuncture was very specifically to deal with the health issues. (benefits) 6 I: Ok 7 P: And the interesting thing about it is that, umm, I went to see my GP about the 8 shoulder problem (benefits) 9 I: Ok 10 P: and the GP gave me the acupuncture. 11 I: Oh, right 12 P: Which I think is very unusual. 13 I: Oh. right 14 P: And I still remember him saying to me, ‘I don’t know how this works but I can just tell 15 you that I have lots of patients who’ve been very, very happy with the results.’ (expectations) 16 I: Oh right 17 P: So, umm, so, yes, that was very, very good. (expectations) 18 I: Ah, where was this? 19 P: Ah, in XXXXX. 20 I: Ok 21 P: Yes, it’s my local GP. I’ve been seeing him for years for other things. 22 I: Ok 23 P: Erm… but that was quite a surprise that actually he did that. 24 I: Ok, So you had no awareness? 25 P: I didn’t really know much about acupuncture, it was certainly the first time I’d ever had 26 it, 27 I: Ok 28 P: I’ve had it since, but what just surprised me was that, you know, my GP offered it, and 29 I said ‘yes, give it a go.’ (informed consent) 30 I: Yeah, what an amazing introduction, from the GP. Yeah, umm… so [giggle], 31 you’ve answered two of my main question that’s amazing, [giggle] umm… so 32 anyway how did you feel when you arrived to the, your GP and know that you 33 were going to be receiving acupuncture? 34 P: Well I didn’t know, I didn’t know I was,… gonna.. 35 I: Or when you find out that you, erm… erm… 36 P: Well I, erm … I was (Pause) surprised but pleasantly and quite keen to try it, so he 37 then did the first treatment there and then. I think I had three… three treatments and… (length of treatment) 38 so, the first one, he (briefly pause) took me into another room and actually put needles in 39 I: Ah huh 40 P: and then he went off to see another patient and then came back to check if I was ok 41 I: Ok 42 P: and then he went off to see another patient and then he came back to take the 43 needles out. And actually what was really interesting for me was that it was so different 44 to a normal GP appointment where you go in and you’re out in three minutes, 45 I: Yeah 46 P: you know? I was actually… He, he was coming back in and out to see me. So I had 47 quite an half an hour at the surgery… 48 I: Yeah 49 P: Erm… I mean with the acupuncture. 50 I: Wow, umm… How did you feel like being left alone with the needles in, 51 since, this is been your first (pause) time? 52 P: Erm… I didn’t mind, Interestingly, I didn’t mind on that occasion because I actually I 53 think the fact that my GP was doing it, how I had low expectations of… of the way you 54 usually interact with your GP (therapeutic relationship) 55 I: Yeah 56 P: so I just thought it was great I was getting, you know, more time, more attention than I 57 would normally. (therapeutic relationship) 58 I: Yeah 59 P: And obviously I felt it was quite novel to have acupuncture. But I have to say that, 60 erm… subsequently I’ve had acupuncture a couple of times, 61 I: Yeah 62 P: several times with different practitioners 63 I: Yeah 64 P: and I, compared to other complementary therapies, 65 I: Ah huh 66 P: I find, being left alone with needles (expectations) 67 I: Ah huh 68 P: quite strange, I… I actually felt I’m not getting my money’s worth. (expectations) 69 I: Ok 70 P: The acupuncture sticks needle in goes off and goes to the next door and does more 71 needles, and goes next door and does some more needles and 72 I: Yeah 73 P: may pop in once to see if you are ok and that to me is not what I expect from a 74 complementary therapist. (expectations) 75 I: Sorry, is not what you expect? 76 P: So when my GP did it like that I thought ‘hey that is great’ because the GP’s spending 77 more time with me than he normally would, (benefits) 78 I: Ok 79 P: but when I go to see an acupuncturist, in those circumstances when 80 I: Yeah 81 P: they stick the needles in and then they go and get on with something else, 82 I: Yeah 83 P: I don’t know, just doesn’t quite fulfil my (I: what you like..) expectations of what 84 complementary medicine is about. (expectations) 85 I: Oh, So wh.. would you like to talk about… your expectations? 86 P: Well, I think my, my experience… er.. sorry… my expectation’s based 87 on experience, 88 I: Hum-hum 89 P: is that there is a lot more of personal interaction between me and the 90 therapist. (expectations) 91 I: Ok, so, ideally, what would you like…maybe… 92 P: I want somebody who is interested in knowing in me (expectations) 93 I: Ah-huh 94 P: so it’s that a holistic approach. I haven’t seen much evidence of 95 (pause) the holistic nature of acupuncture beyond the needling. (expectations) 96 I: Ok 97 P: Because basically it’s been a conversation and then sticks some 98 needle in me, (pause) umm.. whereas when I go and see erm… another 99 sort of therapist, then, I would actually be talking more. There would be 100 much more interaction, I mean, even if you have your having a massage (therapeutic relationship) 101 I: Umm 102 P: or aromatherapy treatment or reflexology, the therapist is, is talking to 103 you all the time and asking you things and getting responses from you 104 and (therapeutic relationship) 105 I: Umm.. umm… 106 P: there wasn’t that much of it when I was doing the 107 acupuncture… (pause) sessions. 108 I: How long was the consultation? 109 P: I think all of.., I think generally half an hour. (length of treatment) 110 I: Ok. The, so the consultation you didn’t find it’s enough? Is that 111 what you trying to say? 112 P: Yeah I think so. Yeah. 113 I: Ok 114 P: No the half an hour… (length of treatment) 115 I: Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt you… 116 P: The half an hour including the needling, so there’s very little, there was very little talk 117 time, (expectations) 118 I: Oh, I see 119 P: I mean I’ve had experience with acupuncture with… umm… with the GP. I had it 120 when I went for physio. The physiotherapist gave me acupuncture ah, instead of physio, 121 effectively, very short physio, erm… so that was more of a sort of practical, technical 122 stick needles and he went away and read a book or something. (expectations) 123 I: Ok 124 P: Umm, then I have been to a very well-known, acupuncturist. He basically has lots of 125 rooms, he goes from room to room to rooms. I probably did have quite a reasonable 126 conversation with him the first time but it was quite short. (expectations) 127 I: Ah-Huh 128 P: Umm… so I don’t feel there was much interaction. (expectations) 129 I: What did that make you feel about the… or how did that therapist made you 130 feel… (pause) what would you say? 131 P: It made me feel like I was in a factory, (expectations) 132 I: Ah 133 P: because I knew he was going from one to the other to the other 134 I: Wow 135 P: And then I also did some, I mean, erm… in Sri Lanka where I went 136 to….a, an Ayurvedic resort, 137 I: Oh right 138 P: and the ayurvedic practitioner erm… again, you lie down, she puts 139 the needles in and then there’s like plenty of you in a room, you know, 140 and she just going from one to the other, taking them out. Very nice, 141 I: Yeah 142 P: but, you know, erm… it does just feel a little bit like a production line 143 and that is not, again, not my expectations of what complementary 144 medicine is normally about. (expectations) 145 I: Oh, right. Very interesting. But, in general, in terms of the 146 consultation room, 147 P: Umm… 148 I: how, how, would you say… how it was? You mentioned factory- 149 like, was it (that it was) 150 P: hum 151 I: something sort of construction wise, the way you were, er.., 152 reminded you of a factory do you feel that… yeah, not very good. 153 P: It wasn’t actually the room. It was more the fact that he was going 154 from one person to the other, do you know, like from a production line. 155 I: Yeah 156 P: The Machines coming thorough, things are coming in and they’re 157 doing this, 158 I: Yeah 159 P: so they were going to you and doing… you know, sticking the needles 160 in, the next person, sticking the needles in, so that was the element of… 161 it was more the erm... (Pause) you know, what they what doing as 162 opposed to where they were doing it, because I have had acupuncture in 163 various places… 164 I: Ok I mean, erm…well… what I wanted to ask you like erm… a part 165 of umm… a holistic approach is also being in a er.. a good 166 environment, a comfortable even visually stimulating environment, 167 umm… what was your opinion about the GP room itself, I mean as, 168 you know, is not a typical, compl… erm… I mean complementary, 169 alternative medicine hum… establishment, so, would you… you 170 know, did you have somethi… an opinion about that? (expectations) 171 P: Umm… the GP one, really wasn’t that different from some of the 172 complementary medicine one really. I went to a room, which has a desk 173 and a couple of chairs in it, and quite often that’s what the 174 complementary medicine might have as well. It wasn’t’ that different from 175 that point of view… erm, but I do, I understand what you’re saying, 176 I: Hmmm.... 177 P: because I do think that if you go to see a complementary therapist, 178 you do want somewhere that is welcoming and comfortable, (expectations) 179 I: Hmm... 180 P: but very often you know, they are just ordinary rooms, I mean I, I 181 used to go to see a therapist that had a room in a basement with no 182 lights. I don’t particular like that but because I liked the therapist, (expectations) 183 I: Umm-hmm 184 P: the actual room didn’t matter very much. (expectations) 185 I: Umm-hmm…. 186 P: So intact that may be quite important, or, might be interesting to you 187 I: Yeah 188 P: that actually I don’t think the actual environment, (pause), is the key 189 thing, (expectations) 190 I: Yeah 191 P: because I‘ve been in lots of different environments, so I had similar 192 treatment in different places, and obviously, I mean, everybody would 193 like a nice environment (expectations) 194 I: Yeah 195 P: but, actually, I think is more to do with the person than the place. (expectations) 196 I: Interaction, as you mentioned earlier. Lovely. (Pause) And, erm, 197 going back to the interaction with the therapist, or the GP in your 198 case, how well do you feel that he explained the treatment plans to 199 you? (limitations) 200 P: Well as I said, that one, the GP didn’t… GP didn’t because GP 201 (pause) basically told me he did not understand it, he didn’t know how it 202 works, (limitations) 203 I: Ah, ok 204 P: he said to me ‘I can’t tell you how it works’ (limitations) 205 I: Ah-huh 206 P: all he told is what he was going to do. Its fine, hum… I had a vague 207 idea (limitations) 208 I: Ah-huh 209 P: about acupuncture and needles. I suppose that probably I was a bit 210 worried about whether it would hurt, because you know it was the first 211 time, but it didn’t. That’s fine umm… so I value my experience quite 212 positive really. (expectations) 213 I: Did he have a treatment plan in mind and not specifically what is 214 doing to you 215 P: Umm…. 216 I: but like, you know, I’m going to do this to you and then... like a…. 217 you did mention that you went to him in three occasions… two or 218 three... (length of treatment) 219 P: That was the acupuncturist, specialist acupunt… oh sorry, no I did, 220 yes, sorry I did, I went there three times, he made clear at the outset 221 that it would be umm… several consultations. (length of treatment) 222 I: Yeah 223 P: He said three or four. (length of treatment) 224 I: Yeah 225 P: I think he is only allowed to give three or four (length of treatment) 226 I: Ok 227 P: on the NHS, I think he had some limitation, he may explain that to me 228 erm… and he told me how long a session will last, 229 I: Yeah 230 P: and he told me... the, the.., a little bit about the needling. I didn’t really 231 know very much at the time, about how acupuncture works but, 232 thankfully, he did explain that he would be putting it at the point of pain 233 and, also the surrounding areas. So he explained the process to me, he 234 explained how long it would probably take to (Pause) umm… to go 235 through it and he didn’t really make any claims in term of how long it 236 would last or anything (procedure / informed consent) 237 I: Ummm… 238 P: and but it lasted for about a year. I haven’t had any pain for a year 239 which is fantastic. (benefits) 240 I: Fantastic Appendix F – Summary of Six Major Themes or Categories Theme / Colour Code Description from Transcript w/ Citation Line No. Benefits (Pink) Medical treatment / Health treatment (i.e. shoulder problem) (2, 8) Pleasure (2) Deal with health issues (5) There’s a benefit when GP performs acupuncture because GP spends more time with me than he normally would (76, 77) No more shoulder pain for a year (8, 238) Expectations (Green) Patients were very, very happy with the results (15) Very, very good (17) Being left alone with needles is strange because it makes me feel I am not getting my money’s worth (66, 68) I do not expect a complementary therapist to stick some needle in and goes off to the next door and come in again to stick another needle (70, 73, 83, 84) I expect more personal interaction between me and the therapist (89, 90) I want somebody who is interested in knowing me (92) Acupuncture should be beyond needling in the sense that it should observe holistic approach (94, 95) I expect more than half-an-hour acupuncture treatment to satisfy therapeutic relationship or talk time between the patient and the therapist (110, 112, 116) The physiotherapist who gave me acupuncture was focused on sticking the needs and left me to do something else (120, 121, 122) A well-known acupuncturist gave me acupuncture with reasonable conversation time but was quite short (124, 125, 126) Technically, I don’t get much interaction with acupuncture (128) It made me feel like I was a factory or a production line (131, 142) I expect the therapist to welcome me and give me comfort (178) The person inside the treatment room is more important that the actual room itself (184, 195) I though acupuncture would hurt but it did not (209 – 211) Length of Treatment (Red) Three (3) treatments (37, 217, 220, 223, 225) Half-an-hour (109) Therapeutic Relationship (Yellow) I think it is great to get more time, more attention than usual. (56, 57) Other form of complementary medicine treatment like massage, aromatherapy treatment, or reflexology offers more therapeutic relationship between the patients and the therapists (100, 102, 103) Limitations (Blue) Although GP can explain the procedure, GP does not fully understand how acupuncture works therefore cannot tell me how it works (201, 202, 204, 206) Procedure / Informed Consent (Grey) GP offered it, I said “yes, give it a go”. (28, 29) GP told me how long a session will last (228) GP told me a little about needling (230) GP explained that he would be putting the needle at the point of pain and its surrounding areas (232, 233) GP explained how long it would probably take to finish one session (234) Read More