Practitioner Experiences of Integrative health CarE [PEICE]: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that some models of care may have a positive impact on health worker wellbeing and retention. This study set out to understand health practitioners’ experiences of working within an integrative health care (IHC) setting in Australia, and the impact of such on practitioners’ clinical behaviour and well-being. Methods: The study employed a qualitative descriptive design and purposive sampling. Health care practitioners of any discipline working in an IHC setting in Australia in a clinical capacity were invited to participate in an online, semi-structured interview. Interview audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using deductive thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-four health practitioners from twelve distinct professions partook in an interview. Four themes emerged from the data, including (i) Transition to practice (e.g. Changed approach to patient care), (ii) Professional interactions (e.g. changing perceptions of, and relationships with other healthcare providers), (iii) Job satisfaction (e.g. rewards and frustrations of working in an IHC setting), and (iv) Impacts on health and wellbeing (e.g. positive and negative health impacts). Conclusion: The study uncovered new insights into health practitioners’ experiences of working within an IHC setting; including impacts on clinical knowledge, skills, behaviours and relationships, as well as practitioner health, wellbeing and job satisfaction. Given the potential implications of these findings on health workforce supply, quality of care and patient satisfaction, there is a need to build upon this work to determine whether the implementation of IHC models of care in different settings yields meaningful and sustainable clinical, social and economic benefit.