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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Zlatka Russinova, PhD, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, 940 Commonwealth Ave., West, Boston, MA 02215, (617)353-3549, zlatka@bu.edu

Epidemiological studies of the use of unconventional medicine in psychiatric populations have found that individuals with mental illnesses tend to use unconventional therapies (UT) in conjunction with conventional mental health services. However, no research has yet documented the specific ways users with serious mental illnesses (SMI) combine conventional services with UT. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study examining the patterns of use of conventional and unconventional therapies by individuals with SMI. This study was conducted as part of a larger study exploring the role of unconventional medicine and spirituality in recovery from SMI. Study participants were selected from a national sample of 255 individuals with SMI who reported beneficial use of UT. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 40 respondents selected to represent a more diverse use of UT. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using grounded theory's open coding process. Study findings portrait three different models of combined use of conventional and unconventional therapies among individuals with SMI: a) integrated model - conventional services and UT compliment each other in a qualitatively different way; b) enhancement model – UT augment conventional services outcomes; and c) replacement model – UT gradually substitute conventional services. Conventional services were frequently identified as a prerequisite for the use of UT. In turn, UT had a diversified impact on the use of conventional services: for some they increased adherence to medications while for others they lead to a decrease in medications and psychotherapy use. UT also impacted participants' choice of providers of conventional services.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

• Distinguish among three models of complemetary use of conventional and unconventional therapies by individuals with serious mental illnesses;
• Identify the impact of complenetary use of unconventional therapies on the utilization of traditional mental health services;
• Rocognize the implications of the complementary use of conventional and unconventional therapies for the providers of mental health services.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation