Lindenmeyer, Antje, Jamie, Kimberly, Griffiths, Frances and Légaré, France (2011) "They're made in factories and not by witches on the allotment" : a qualitative study of midlife women in the United Kingdom, exploring their approaches to complementary and alternative medicines. Health Care for Women International, Vol.32 (No.12). pp. 1046-1067. ISSN 0739-9332

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Abstract

This article explores midlife women's experiences and approaches related to complementary and alternative therapies (CAMS). Ninety-six midlife women were asked about their use of CAMs as part of their overall approach to midlife health. Qualitative thematic analysis was combined with a case-based approach. Women set their experience of CAMs in the context of conventional medicine taking and discussed their safety and different uses. For treatments requiring direct contact with a practitioner, accessibility and quality of the relationship were crucial. Four overall approaches could be discerned (political–critical, pragmatic, careful and wellbeing-oriented) that dynamically interacted with women's experiences.

Item Type:	Submitted Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Alternative medicine, Middle-aged women -- Health and hygiene -- Great Britain, Health attitudes -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	Health Care for Women International
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	0739-9332
Date:	2011
Volume:	Vol.32
Number:	No.12
Page Range:	pp. 1046-1067
Identification Number:	10.1080/07399332.2011.603864
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/39981

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