Other papers by Rachel Canaway
CHAPTER 10 Regulating complementary and alternative medicine practitioners Vivian Lin and Rachel ... more CHAPTER 10 Regulating complementary and alternative medicine practitioners Vivian Lin and Rachel Canaway The usage of complementary and ... chiropractors to seek registration as a means of gaining greater institutional and professional recognition (Bentley 2005, Martyr ...
Naturopathy is a growing and increasingly professionalised arena in a number of countries. Despit... more Naturopathy is a growing and increasingly professionalised arena in a number of countries. Despite its growth and increasing acceptance there is little research on this profession. This book gives voice to the perspectives of seven senior practitioners in Melbourne Australia on topics including practitioner regulation, research and the professional knowledge-base. It reveals how, despite a history of marginalisation, the naturopathic community in Australia has been shaped by intra-professional conflict and tensions. The incorporation of new knowledge and practices, embraced as a strategy to protect the profession from the threats of powerful external lobby groups, has led to the development of factions and disunity. Disagreement on the need and appropriateness of government mandated statutory registration of practitioners has also led to volatile disputes. Disunity may be indicative of positive diversity and is not uncommon in the development of new professions. Similarities of opin...
Analysing Health Policy, 2008
CHAPTER 10 Regulating complementary and alternative medicine practitioners Vivian Lin and Rachel ... more CHAPTER 10 Regulating complementary and alternative medicine practitioners Vivian Lin and Rachel Canaway The usage of complementary and ... chiropractors to seek registration as a means of gaining greater institutional and professional recognition (Bentley 2005, Martyr ...
Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 2012
Building on a dialogue between three trained naturopaths and a proponent of critical medical anth... more Building on a dialogue between three trained naturopaths and a proponent of critical medical anthropology (CMA), this article highlights the relationship between health and society from the viewpoint of two fields that share this focal concern. Both naturopathy and CMA are committed to the notion of holistic health, although their approaches have historically been somewhat different. The responses of the three naturopaths to CMA exhibit both similarities and differences, particularly in terms of insights that CMA may make to naturopathy. This essay also articulates the CMA perspective of naturopathy and posits lessons that naturopathy can teach CMA.
Australian Health Review, 2010
BMC Health Services Research, 2010
Background The co-occurrence of mental illness and substance use problems (referred to as "comorb... more Background The co-occurrence of mental illness and substance use problems (referred to as "comorbidity" in this paper) is common, and is often reported by service providers as the expectation rather than the exception. Despite this, many different treatment service models are being used in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health (MH) sectors to treat this complex client group. While there is abundant literature in the area of comorbidity treatment, no agreed overarching framework to describe the range of service delivery models is apparent internationally or at the national level. The aims of the current research were to identify and describe elements of good practice in current service models of treatment of comorbidity in Australia. The focus of the research was on models of service delivery. The research did not aim to measure the client outcomes achieved by individual treatment services, but sought to identify elements of good practice in services. Methods Australian treatment services were identified to take part in the study through a process of expert consultation. The intent was to look for similarities in the delivery models being implemented across a diverse set of services that were perceived to be providing good quality treatment for people with comorbidity problems. Results A survey was designed based on a concept map of service delivery devised from a literature review. Seventeen Australian treatment services participated in the survey, which explored the context in which services operate, inputs such as organisational philosophy and service structure, policies and procedures that guide the way in which treatment is delivered by the service, practices that reflect the way treatment is provided to clients, and client impacts. Conclusions The treatment of people with comorbidity of mental health and substance use disorders presents complex problems that require strong but flexible service models. While the treatment services included in this study reflected the diversity of settings and approaches described in the literature, the research found that they shared a range of common characteristics. These referred to: service linkages; workforce; policies, procedures and practices; and treatment.
Complementary Health Practice Review, 2009
Despite the recommendations in 2006 that naturopaths and Western herbal medicine practitioners be... more Despite the recommendations in 2006 that naturopaths and Western herbal medicine practitioners be more closely regulated, there have been no moves toward state-mandated (statutory) registration or licensure of naturopaths in any Australian state or territory. Debate within the naturopathic profession on the appropriateness of statutory practitioner regulation has historically contributed to dissent and the creation of organizational factions. In turn,
Australian Health Review, 2010
This paper draws from a literature review commissioned as part of a larger project evaluating com... more This paper draws from a literature review commissioned as part of a larger project evaluating comorbidity treatment service models, which was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Comorbidity Initiative. The co-occurrence of mental health and substance use disorders (comorbidity) is a common and complex problem. This paper outlines conceptual and practical complexities and barriers associated with comorbidity treatment service delivery, particularly around the variable nature of comorbidity, and the impacts of the separation of the mental health (MH) and alcohol and other drug (AOD) sectors with their differing institutional cultures, aetiological concepts, philosophical underpinnings, educational requirements, administrative arrangements, and screening and treatment approaches. Issues pertaining to the lack of consistent definitions and conceptual frameworks for comorbidity are discussed, particularly in relation to the reported lack of communication, collaboration, and linkages between the sectors. It is suggested that the adoption of consistent terminology and conceptual frameworks may provide a valuable step towards consistency in service provision and research and could lead to improved capacity to address the many issues relating to comorbidity service provision and treatment efficacy.
BMC Health Services Research, 2010
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Little is known about how prepared Chinese medicine (CM) students perceive themselves to enter th... more Little is known about how prepared Chinese medicine (CM) students perceive themselves to enter the workforce. The objective of this study was to investigate perceptions of preparedness for clinical practice of final-year CM students in Australia. The study design consisted of a written survey focusing on eight dimensions relating to practice: Interpersonal Skills, Confidence/Coping Skills, Professional Networks, Professional Practice Management, Professional Patient Management, Prevention, Holistic Care, and Self-Directed Learning. Part 1 of the survey required participants to choose from six possible responses on how well they believe their CM course has prepared them in relation to 41 statements about aspects of practice (1 = very inadequately through to 6 = very adequately). Part 2 consisted of nine open-ended questions. The study participants were final-year Bachelor degree CM and acupuncture students from Australian universities and privately operated educational institutions. ANALYSIS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Part 1 of survey: mean scores on the eight dimensions of practice. Part 2 of survey: transcribed responses were imported into NVivo8. Each part of the questions was analyzed and grouped into broad themes. Seventy-one (71) of one hundred and seven (71/107) invited students (average age 29.4 years +/- 7.4 years) participated in the survey conducted in 2008. Mean scores on eight dimensions of clinical practice were as follows: Interpersonal Skills 3.9 (+/-1.1), Confidence/Coping Skills 4.0 (+/-0.8), Professional Networks 4.2 (+/-0.8), Professional Practice Management 4.2 (+/-0.8), Professional Patient Management 4.7 (+/-0.7), Prevention 4.6 (+/-0.7), Holistic Care 4.4 (+/-0.7), and Self-Directed Learning 4.6 (+/-0.6). There was no significant difference in mean scores across gender. Responses to Part 2 indicated a range of suggestions on the strengths of educational courses and how transition to clinical practice could be facilitated. In general, CM students perceived themselves to be "somewhat adequately" or "adequately" prepared for various aspects of clinical practice. Survey results may help inform CM educators about how to better prepare students for entry into the workforce.
CAMelot: Use of CAM by people with chronic illness by Rachel Canaway
ObjectivesTo understand the extent to which conventional and complementary health care are integr... more ObjectivesTo understand the extent to which conventional and complementary health care are integrated for CAM users with chronic conditions.To understand the extent to which conventional and complementary health care are integrated for CAM users with chronic conditions.MethodsIn-depth interviews and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data on care-seeking, self-management and CAM use among people with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease living in Victoria, Australia.In-depth interviews and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data on care-seeking, self-management and CAM use among people with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease living in Victoria, Australia.ResultsMany participants reported regular, frequent and long-term use of CAM therapies to maintain their health or assist in the management of their chronic condition. They generally managed the interface between convention and complementary health care on their own, as the perceived or expressed negative attitudes of some doctors, or the belief that the doctor did not need to know, were barriers to the disclosure of CAM use. For a smaller group, there was interaction between conventional and CAM providers, which limited the extent of uncertainty and conflicting information being (mis)interpreted by consumers.Many participants reported regular, frequent and long-term use of CAM therapies to maintain their health or assist in the management of their chronic condition. They generally managed the interface between convention and complementary health care on their own, as the perceived or expressed negative attitudes of some doctors, or the belief that the doctor did not need to know, were barriers to the disclosure of CAM use. For a smaller group, there was interaction between conventional and CAM providers, which limited the extent of uncertainty and conflicting information being (mis)interpreted by consumers.ConclusionsGreater interaction between CAM and medical providers would be beneficial to consumers. Structural barriers, related to financing and service organization, need to be addressed. Attitudinal shifts of some health-care practitioners also need to be addressed, in the context of workforce development.Greater interaction between CAM and medical providers would be beneficial to consumers. Structural barriers, related to financing and service organization, need to be addressed. Attitudinal shifts of some health-care practitioners also need to be addressed, in the context of workforce development.
ContextPeople with chronic conditions who are often in contact with the health-care system are we... more ContextPeople with chronic conditions who are often in contact with the health-care system are well placed to reflect on how services meet their needs. Some research characterizes people who use complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) as a distinct group who opt out of the mainstream health system. However, many CAM users are people with chronic or terminal health conditions who concurrently use mainstream health-care services. The difference in perspectives between people with chronic conditions who do or do not use CAM has received little attention by researchers.People with chronic conditions who are often in contact with the health-care system are well placed to reflect on how services meet their needs. Some research characterizes people who use complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) as a distinct group who opt out of the mainstream health system. However, many CAM users are people with chronic or terminal health conditions who concurrently use mainstream health-care services. The difference in perspectives between people with chronic conditions who do or do not use CAM has received little attention by researchers.ObjectiveTo explore the views of CAM users with chronic conditions and identify their perspectives on the health system.To explore the views of CAM users with chronic conditions and identify their perspectives on the health system.Design and SettingIn-depth interviews and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data on care-seeking, self-management and CAM use among people with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease living in Victoria, Australia.In-depth interviews and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data on care-seeking, self-management and CAM use among people with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease living in Victoria, Australia.ResultsOne in four CAM practitioner users was partly motivated to use CAM as a result of their dissatisfaction with the mainstream health system. In general, their dissatisfaction mirrored the concerns of the general population. This included the perceived lack of a humanistic or person-centred approach, which was central to problems relating to individuals' clinical encounters as well as to health system design.One in four CAM practitioner users was partly motivated to use CAM as a result of their dissatisfaction with the mainstream health system. In general, their dissatisfaction mirrored the concerns of the general population. This included the perceived lack of a humanistic or person-centred approach, which was central to problems relating to individuals' clinical encounters as well as to health system design.Discussion and ConclusionParticipants' concerns suggest room for improvement in the Australian health system to better reflect patients' needs. A systems approach is needed to reorient health-care practitioners to modify the organization of care because of the incentives embedded in the structure of the health-care system.Participants' concerns suggest room for improvement in the Australian health system to better reflect patients' needs. A systems approach is needed to reorient health-care practitioners to modify the organization of care because of the incentives embedded in the structure of the health-care system.
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Other papers by Rachel Canaway
CAMelot: Use of CAM by people with chronic illness by Rachel Canaway