The Regulation of the Complementary Health Sector: General Public's Knowledge of Complementary Medicine-Related Quality Assurance and Consumer Protection.

Sibbritt, D; Peng, W; Wardle, J; Stewart, C; Komesaroff, P; Adams, J

The Regulation of the Complementary Health Sector: General Public's Knowledge of Complementary Medicine-Related Quality Assurance and Consumer Protection.

Sibbritt, D

Peng, W

Wardle, J Stewart, C Komesaroff, P Adams, J

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Publisher:: Maad Rayan Publishing Company
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International journal of health policy and management, 2021, 0
Issue Date:: 2021-06-09

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447
dc.contributor.author	Peng, W https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9747-2466
dc.contributor.author	Wardle, J
dc.contributor.author	Stewart, C
dc.contributor.author	Komesaroff, P
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717
dc.date.accessioned	2021-11-18T02:18:24Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-30
dc.date.available	2021-11-18T02:18:24Z
dc.date.issued	2021-06-09
dc.identifier.citation	International journal of health policy and management, 2021, 0
dc.identifier.issn	2322-5939
dc.identifier.issn	2322-5939
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151692
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>Complementary medicine (CM) use is a ubiquitous aspect of an increasingly consumer-driven model of healthcare delivery and plays an increasingly prominent role in the Australian health sector. Yet there is limited empirical research investigating the quality and integrity of protections for consumers in Australia. The aim of this study is to help address this gap in knowledge by exploring how members of the public engage with protection mechanisms related to CM use.<h4>Methods</h4>This study utilised a cross-sectional online survey to recruit a sample of 1132 Australian adults aged 18 and over. Purposive convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from an existing database of Australian adults who had expressed interest in participating in research.<h4>Results</h4>The majority of the participants (64.0%) had visited a CM practitioner in their lifetime. However, a minority of participants (36.9%) indicated they would feel confident in knowing where to complain if something went wrong with the treatment they received from a CM practitioner. Most participants (74.7%) had used a CM product in their lifetime. Specifically, 32.3% had 'ever' used an herbal product and 69.9% had 'ever' used a nutritional supplement. However, a minority of participants (32.7%) indicated they would feel confident knowing where to complain if something went wrong with a herbal or nutritional supplement they used. Most participants indicated a lack of knowledge about how CM practitioners and CM products are regulated in Australia.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The findings of this study clearly highlight a concerning lack of knowledge by CM patients and consumers regarding the regulation of CM in Australia. From a policy perspective, it is necessary to seek proactive approaches that target complaint-related knowledge of the CM patients and consumers through education and advocacy efforts.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Maad Rayan Publishing Company
dc.relation.ispartof	International journal of health policy and management
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.34172/ijhpm.2021.56
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	The Regulation of the Complementary Health Sector: General Public's Knowledge of Complementary Medicine-Related Quality Assurance and Consumer Protection.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	0
utslib.location.activity	Iran
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-11-18T02:18:22Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	0

Abstract:

Background

Complementary medicine (CM) use is a ubiquitous aspect of an increasingly consumer-driven model of healthcare delivery and plays an increasingly prominent role in the Australian health sector. Yet there is limited empirical research investigating the quality and integrity of protections for consumers in Australia. The aim of this study is to help address this gap in knowledge by exploring how members of the public engage with protection mechanisms related to CM use.

Methods

This study utilised a cross-sectional online survey to recruit a sample of 1132 Australian adults aged 18 and over. Purposive convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from an existing database of Australian adults who had expressed interest in participating in research.

Results

The majority of the participants (64.0%) had visited a CM practitioner in their lifetime. However, a minority of participants (36.9%) indicated they would feel confident in knowing where to complain if something went wrong with the treatment they received from a CM practitioner. Most participants (74.7%) had used a CM product in their lifetime. Specifically, 32.3% had 'ever' used an herbal product and 69.9% had 'ever' used a nutritional supplement. However, a minority of participants (32.7%) indicated they would feel confident knowing where to complain if something went wrong with a herbal or nutritional supplement they used. Most participants indicated a lack of knowledge about how CM practitioners and CM products are regulated in Australia.

Conclusion

The findings of this study clearly highlight a concerning lack of knowledge by CM patients and consumers regarding the regulation of CM in Australia. From a policy perspective, it is necessary to seek proactive approaches that target complaint-related knowledge of the CM patients and consumers through education and advocacy efforts.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151692