What patients expect from complementary therapy: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative therapies have become popular with patients in Western countries. Studies have suggested motivations for patients' choosing a wide range of complementary therapies. Data on the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy are limited. We assessed the expectations of patients who use complementary therapy. METHODS: Patients attending a British National Health Service (NHS) outpatient department that provided acupuncture, osteopathy, and homoeopathy were asked to complete a qualitative survey. RESULTS: Patients expected symptom relief, information, a holistic approach, improved quality of life, self-help advice, and wide availability of such therapies on the NHS. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' understanding of patients' expectations of complementary therapies will help patients make appropriate and realistic treatment choices.