Assessing Patients Feedback On Receiving Herbal Medicine Treatment - Dissertation Example

Assessing Patients’ Feedback On Receiving Herbal Medicine Treatment Abstract Provision of herbal Medicare is one of the methods that advocate for the healthy requirements of a patient. In order to provide proper Medicare there needs to be a good interpersonal relationship between practitioners and the patients, this is achieved through good communication skills. Therefore, this report outlines patient centered feedback concerning herbal Medicare all of which is influenced by the practitioner. More of the above is going to feature under the following main domains; the objective of the report, the questionnaires, the literature review and lastly the methodology and data analysis. The basis of the finding is lined up in the literature review part, where the author has exhaustively cited examples that are arguably centralized on the herbal treatment. Understanding the importance of medical treatment, most of the literature cited here has submerged in the argument on whether clinicians should adhere in most of the clinics in the country to this right treatment. Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0 Introduction 2 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Description 7 2.0 Aim 7 2.1 Objectives 8 3.0 Method 8 3.1 Literature Review 9 3.2 Data analysis 12 3.3 Ethical considerations 13 3.4 Anticipated time management 15 4.0 Conclusion 15 Bibliography 17 Appendices 19 Appendix1 19 Appendix 2 22 1.0 Introduction This report is a critical representation of a research done by the university polyclinics with the help of the social research institutes, on patients’ views on the effectiveness of the herbal Medicare. Recently complementary and Alternative medicine has been seeking to gain greater acceptance into the community and thus there is greater emphasis for it to be taken first as a professional course. Thus the University of Westminster has the mandate to ensure all its students reach an acceptable standard that can be in a position to meet patients’ needs before awarding them a degree. First, the research has touched on the patient-centered care, where special issues and barriers have been put into analysis (Barnes, 2009, pg34). After the target groups, which are the practitioners and some of the Herbal medicine students, have been identified, the next thing is to illustrate questionnaires and outline the data found by analysis them in a more strategized manner. After the above have been met, methodology and data analysis designs have been included, for the implementation purposes (Sinclair, 2010, pg42). It is better to understand that without a detailed analysis of the data, the target group might not give out a clear variations and impact of herbal being included clinical treatment. 1.1 Background According to clinical research, it is stipulated that over the recent years, the crucial and unavoidable system (health care) has witnessed some movement to the system that engages patients in not only the decision making process but also the self care unit from the previously known paternalistic (Bent, 2004, pg54). In this way, it can be ascertained that this system marked a shift in medical department from the professional driven system to the patient centered one or in other perspective this is a consumer centered system (Thomas, 2001, pg31). Here, the general perspective for such a change was that there was a need top incorporate the patients’ individually. Several firms emerged all in the name of promoting the system. That is why, up to date the system is firm, and that all the patients’ views are taken with the weight expected (Sinclair,2010, pg45). After several analysis, experts illustrates that there is proof that patient-centered approach will always result to greater or heightened clinical satisfaction of better health care outcomes. If the above are not enough, it should be affirmed that the adaptation of the patient-centered system has proved to malpractice claims as well as the high clinical loyalty (Barnes, 2009, pg33). This is why, the feedbacks and the views of patients in regards to herbal introduction in the hospitals where staged. One thing that portrayed a positive result when patient-centeredness was practiced was that a revelation came about where; patients themselves perceived that their visit to a physician was a patient centered criterion (Bent, 2004, pg54). Patients here felt that they did understand that they had a considerable effort in developing treatment plans. Therefore, this forced them to be more than willing to participate in patient centeredness. From then on, this system has been touched several times, research on herbal medication being the recent one. The report for this research is a university polyclinic supported in terms of funds and whereabouts of all the design methodology (Barnes, 2009, pg43). However, the primary views presented here, are a building and efforts put in by the author and not the University Polyclinic’s, or its staff officers and even the directors. The research on patient’s feedback is a whole channel; of trials and experimental and practice. This report required a valid research strategy which activated the route to success prior to perfect tracing of the author. The strategy involved identification of the reliable source for the research, setting up reliable objectives, and identifying the best data analysis methods plus several ethical considerations. With the seemed short timeline allocated on the research, the truth is that it was well enough strategized to meet the required intention (Bent, 2004, pg34). The hitherto doubt on whether to use herbal Medicare or not, has perfectly been identified by the feedback that patients gave out, through the set questionnaires. Herbal medicine also referred to as botanical medicine or phytomedicine involves the use of plant products for medical purposes. Our ancestors have practiced herbal medicine thus has a long tradition of use. According to ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings, plants medicinal uses have been described as early as 3000 BC. Further research showed that people in different parts tended to use similar herbs for the same purpose (Nordeng, 2004). As time goes by, it has become more essential due to the improvements made from its analysis and quality control. Advances in clinical research have shown the impact and value of herbal therapy in managing diseases. Clinics’ practicing herbal medicine focuses on methods that are put forward to understand the health conditions of patients and offering herbal treatment that solves their issues from the root (Green, 2009, pg54). Being in a competitive market with modern chemical based clinics, herbal medicine clinics should try to offer remedies from acute to chronic ailments. They need to use proven herbal remedies and corrective measures (according to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine standards) that are highly safe, effective and at the same time affordable (Eisenberg, 1985, pg45). Since all the remedies and treatment are purely based on plant solutions, they have almost negligible side effects as compared to pharmaceutical drugs. In line with the therapy, the herbal clinic team should suggest diet regimens as well as life style plans because a combination of the two could bring about tremendous results. In addition, proper follow up of patients is an important aspect that benefits the clinic (Pope, 2001, pg34). A good atmosphere between the practitioners and the patients’ acts as a business tool since patients will be referring other clients to come to “the clinic” just for quality services. On the other hand this realm also faces some major drawbacks and these include; Being inappropriate for many modern conditions, notably, we find that modern pharmaceutical drugs treat sudden and serious ailments much more effectively than herbs would do. Sometimes a correct dosage lacks and this could be very dangerous to one’s health. There is a real risk of over dosage. In addition, herbal medicine might also lead to medication interactions especially with antidepressants and therefore, it is important to discuss with your doctor about medication and herbal supplements to avoid such interactions that could be dangerous. Historically plants with beneficial factors have been taken as the people’s medicine. Often they were always safer than chemical drugs, cheaper and readily available to individuals seeking their services (De Silva, 2010, pg50). However, in recently conducted surveys of use of herbal medicine in the United States portrays a different picture. The results of the survey are consistent and suggests that people who take herbal medicine are mostly; female, white, been through college with high socio economic status and stays in the western states (Bent, 2004). For instance, relatively little about the pattern of use of herbal medicine together with their perception and attitude is known in the United States. Due to an increase in the interest of herbal medicine and its use, the number of surveys escalated significantly from 2004. Arguably, from academic literature, shows that CAM is mostly used among women as opposed to their male counterparts and among those with higher incomes have college degrees, reside in the western United States, and are not likely to disclose use of CAM to medical practitioners. In most surveys regarding CAM, most respondents gave a positive feedback (Nordeng and Havnen, 2004). From surveys of American adults, one of the most common reasons for use of herbal medicine was for health preservation and for chronic, non-life threatening health conditions (Eisenberg, 1993; Marinac et al, 2007). Amongst the patients having diabetes condition, their desire for supplementary relief was cited as the most common motive (Kumara, Bajaj and Mehrotrac, 2006). 1.2 Description This is a pilot study to develop questionnaires that are appropriate for assessing patients’ feedback on receiving herbal medicine treatment, with special emphasis on patient centered care. 2.0 Aim The purpose of this research is to develop and evaluate a patient feedback tool on herbal medicine in order to discover if it is appropriate for use in any legal clinic. 2.1 Objectives Analysis of patients’ feedback on herbal treatment i.e. communication between patient and practitioner during the process To collect and examine current patient feedback instruments. To consult public literature and governing body standards of good practice and come up with a framework applicable to herbal medicine. To interview practitioners and other students on information that would be constructive for them to receive on patient feedback forms. Compare the selected instruments and identify areas that the researcher would like to adapt in questionnaires consulting the framework. To come up with a questionnaire that pilot on herbal medicine therapy, which involves; comparing different instruments developed in acupuncture and to ascertain if they are up to task. . 3.0 Method In order to come up with a method that can propose the appropriate questionnaires for the polyclinic, a quick review was done on the patient feedback instruments. The instruments to be analyzed should be relevant to the patients understanding. Therefore, the approach that will be employed is a qualitative survey. It will involve an adaptation of a feedback form from an earlier survey in acupuncture in the university polyclinic. Questions will be obtained from an earlier questionnaire that had been carried out at the university polyclinic on acupuncture. Notably, this research will have 20 respondents, which is the research sample size since such a small number gives adequate time to survey the participants while filling in the questionnaires. Qualitative research often does not involve a large sample size due to the nature of investigator-participant interactions (Green and Thorgood, 2009, pg67). Recruitment usually takes place by approaching the patients and asking them if they would like to participate in the process prior to consultation. In order to expand a patient’s sample space, this procedure usually takes one month. For instance, if a 30 % response rate will be achieved then a sample space of 50 individuals will be used. Those patients who will have volunteered will then be required to feel the feedback questionnaires bearing in mind the initial sample size, which should be 20. In the event that the respondents exceed the sample size, then the first 20 will be approached for the analysis. It is recommended to contact participants 2 weeks prior to the study through the contact details they provided. This is to give them enough time to feel the feedback form after consultation. An inclusion criterion for such a research is to attend at least one herbal medicine therapy session at the university polyclinic (Barnes, 2009, pg44). Persons should be of eighteen years or above to avoid recruitment of minors. Individuals who will be excluded in the research will be those whom; have ties to the owners, administrators or employees of the polyclinic. It is important to minimize bias by getting independent individuals. 3.1 Literature Review A literature research was conducted on printed media mostly the books on herbal medicine which are mostly centered on circulating information about herbal medicine as a complementary therapy. Most media are quantitative in nature and focus on the effect of phytochemicals in vitro/ animals. Such studies include Thomas and Coleman (2004), Disilva et al (2010) and Thomas et al (2001). These analyses also scrutinize why people opt for herbal medicine as the alternative form of therapy. We see that most publications are codes of practice for practitioners in the business like NIMH (2012) and MCPP (2012). This ethics are the ones that through excellent communication skills enable them to improve patient care. Since the industry is still in its initial stages of establishing its roots there is still inadequate research into the patient experience of herbal Medicine. Further scrutiny to the work of Ipsos MORI (2008) I saw that their research was intended to explore the attitude and perceptions of the public towards herbal medicine. I found out that very little research had been conducted based on patients experience on herbal medicine though other surveys have been conducted via questionnaires to obtain patients response on the general practice. According to Barker (1990) an emphasis was put on the importance of patients’ satisfaction which is a key aspect on patients’ illness and recovery. He further suggested that patients were more likely to get along with the therapy. Therefore, evaluation of the post consultation process can be used as a tool to measure effectiveness of clinical care. In a nut shell this research aims at bridging this gap to strengthen the practices improvement efforts. For instance, if there is enough information available regarding patient experience then institutions of health that practice herbal medicine will be in a position to examine their quality of care. Therefore, they know what needs to be done to improve the upcoming system of therapy. The concern on a patient experience under certain therapy is so as to know clearly the cause of further persistence of the ailment say more so if its patient related. This can help reveal information such as patient medication non-adherence. However much of this criterion seems to be new to most people. The fact is that herbal treatment has been in existence for a long time. Historians like Nylyod and Retchrys (2008), illustrate that plant medical use has been in existence and it dates back to 3 000 BC. They assert that individual and indigenous cultures such as Native American and Africans are known to have used herbals in curing rituals, and at the same times, others literally developed medical system although in a traditional perspective. If that is not enough, the scholar Nyclaus (2008) demonstrates that in the early 19th century, the first time that people experienced a first chemical analysis, he narrates that scientists began to modify and extract the plant’s active ingredients. It was from here the chemists saw the need to make their own vision to come true (Barnes, 2009, pg32). Their vision was based on plant compounds and it is from here that the medicines that incorporated more of plants started to sprout up. Therefore, with his research he evidently showed how the medicines from plants came up and overtook the herbs, which was the first way to a perfect medicine. At the same time, the article by the world health organization released in 2010 demonstrates that over eighty percent of the people in the world today are glued on herbs. In this way, it can be noted that they still appreciate the fact that herbs are the best drugs that humankind have ever-hard (Bent, 2004, pg34). This is evident as per the statistic from different countries were analyzed. For instance, world health organization emphasizes the fact that a country like Germany has recently discovered the pertinence of herbs, and right now almost six hundred and seven hundred medicines from plant are currently in supply. At the same time, Hillary (2009), a physician illustrates that it is not easy for the scientists to discover which herb treats which disorder. The article further illustrates that herbs bears many different ingredients and that with that varied ingredients, still they work concurrently in giving out a very beneficial effect. The only thing that scientists have understood is the determination of the effectiveness of a drug. According to study, the scientists explain that factors that explain the effectiveness of a herb can be environment, for instance the soil quality, bugs as well as climate. Conclusively, (Hillary 2009, pg54) affirms that an herb is not entitled to cure a certain single disease but rather several diseases. As a result, the only easy thing for the scientists to discover is the herb’s effectiveness and not the type of disease that the herb cures. 3.2 Data analysis A simple thematic code analysis was used to analyze the interview data. It was expected that after conducting the survey, all the form responses were to be reviewed for prevailing themes of which will then be codified into emerging ideas. Unlike other researchers had done before especially those that relied on literature for code identification, it was better to let the target group choose this parameter. Other than permitting the target group to choose parameters by themselves, the research also considers other types of data analysis which some of them are Narrative analysis. Here, most of the interviewees preferred this type of data analysis because, instead of submerging in illustrating through writing, which can as well be a tiresome job, the respondents who were involved in the study were encouraged also to participate through story telling (Barker, 1990, pg45). In other words, they were only required to narrate a few things and then the research is expected to withstand the responsibility of writing. It is a tiresome job also to a researcher, at most if the respondents narrating are more than ten; however, they managed to handle the situation clearly. Further, this was encouraged since the respondents were expressing their feelings hence bringing about the severity of the positive nature of the research. 3.3 Ethical considerations The respondents that participate in a research study must not be coerced into participation. In order to demonstrate evidence of this, they will be expected to sign a consent form as attached in the appendix. Prior to signing the form, all individuals will be duly informed about the purpose of the research. To make participants comfortable with the survey detailed personal issues were avoided but at the same time making sure that, the consultation was done correctly. Due to personal matters, the questionnaire was carefully framed to avoid participant discomfort. For instance, no one will be expected to explain the medical condition that caused them to use this form of therapy (Lown and Rosen, 2011, pg29). If a respondent wishes to withdraw from the analysis, then they will have the freedom to do so. Other individuals may have possible concerns about possible liability from the university polyclinic. In order to dispel those concerns, patients will be assured of the anonymity in the paper. Informing members of the organization about confidentiality and data protection rights is a critical step in getting their approval (Barker, 1990, pg75). This can be achieved by giving them an information form that has all the necessary details regarding the rights. I will specify details about the length and manner of the interview as well as other rights accorded to participants. One of the most pertinent responsibilities when medical care is mentioned is ethics. Despite the type of treatment, all nurses and doctors are expected to consider a high level of ethical adherence when handling patients. At most, medical ethics usually illustrate a positive duty, to a far much greater degree than even the law. In today’s’ society, people understand medical ethics variedly. However, current understanding illustrates that medical ethics is a phenomenon that brings about positive duties. The first duty that is brought forward prior to medical ethical consideration is a responsibility to promote an admirable or act in a manner that will suggest best interest of the patients have been put into consideration. Another ethical consideration is to ensure that the patient gets maximum respect when tackling his or her problem. It does not involve any expense to understand that medical here comprises both the herbal and the pharmaceutical treatments. In this case, the herbal consideration is what is being evaluated; therefore, the medical to be administered here should adhere to the ethical practices of herbal physician (Barker, 1990, pg56). One of the ethical consideration that either a nurse or herbal professional should stick to is truth telling. This comes from a principle of autonomy, since this explains that truth being an essential aspect when it comes to any kind of ethical consideration. Furthermore, the ethical that has rooted to the phenomenon on of distributive justice requires that professionals should to practice equity. Here, the essence of distribution should be done without any private consideration. In the same way, those patients that will, participate in the study are resourcefully equated, and that everyone is served with the correct measures of the other person. Here, the main principle of ethics, incorporated with distributive justice will open up an environment that is more leveled in terms of resources among the participants. Word counts 1142 (excluding table) 3.4 Anticipated time management Activity Time frame Duration Collection of literature 22 november-22 December 2013 1 month Permission seeking from polyclinic Throughout the trial period N/A Recruitment of participants and conduction of surveys 3rd January-3rd march 2014 2 months Data analysis 4th march-31st march 2014 3 weeks Compilation of dissertation 3rd February -12th May 2014 3 months 4.0 Conclusion Even though herbal medicine is still not widely accepted, it is being taught more in medical and pharmacy schools. More health care practitioners have been making a priority, learning about the positive and potentially side effects of using herbal therapy as an alternative to help treat most health conditions. Some of the health care providers, together with doctors and pharmacists, have been trained in herbal medicine. They have been trained to help people with treatment plans that encompass the use of herbs, conventional medications together with lifestyle changes to promote health (Barker, 1990, pg76). For my project, my aim was to find out different responses from respondents (patients) about herbal Medicare to see the areas to work on in order to improve the patient-practitioner relationship. The hither to doubt on whether to use herbal Medicare or not, has perfectly been identified by the feedback that patients gave out, through the set questionnaires. To finalize, the habit or the ‘push’ for this topic to be taught in schools and colleges is a first step in winning the hearts of the patients who are still at bay in the herbal matters. Secondly, this will automatically bring about a change in both the clinics and health departments, where the anticipated value of herbal treatment will fully come into existence. This research, has just but acted as a revelation, and with a little more emphasizes from the government in concern with herbal treatment, definitely it value will be recognized in a short timeframe. Bibliography Barker, R. (1990). Development of a questionnaire to asses patients' satisfaction with consultation in general practice. British journal of general practice, 40, 487-490. Barnes, J. L. (2007). herbal medicines. london: pharmaceutical press. Bishop, F. Y. (2007). A systematic review of beliefs involveded in the use of complementary and alternative medicine . journal of health psychology, 12(18) 851-67. 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