J Manag Med. 2001 ; 15(4-5): 312-22.

Direct integrative practice, time constraints and reactive strategy: an examination of GP therapists' perceptions of their complementary medicine.

Adams J.

Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.

There has been a movement towards integrating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into the NHS and a growing number of general practitioners (GPs) are personally practising CAM to treat their NHS patients (direct integrative practice). While research has begun to examine DIP, time constraints and related issues--of importance not only to practitioners but also to those purchasing and planning health care--have not yet received in depth attention. In response this paper examines GP therapists' experiences of the clinical reality of their DIP. The analysis reveals how a lack of time is perceived by GP therapists as a serious constraint upon their CAM practice and also how they employ a number of strategies in an attempt to overcome such difficulties.