TY - JOUR
T1 - Complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care
T2 - A multi-centre case study
AU - Peter, Mackereth
AU - Ann, Carter
AU - Sam, Parkin
AU - Jacqui, Stringer
AU - Dai, Roberts
AU - Andrew, Long
AU - Chris, Todd
AU - Ann, Caress
PY - 2009/8/1
Y1 - 2009/8/1
N2 - Purpose: To uncover complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care. Method: The study employed a multiple case-study design, involving three cancer/supportive and palliative care settings in the North West of England. A questionnaire survey (n = 51) was undertaken, followed by semi-structured interviews with a subgroup of the sample (n = 28). Results: Participants had a mean age of 50 years, were predominantly female and had varied career backgrounds, including prior professional experience in healthcare, teaching and private complementary therapy practice. Motivation for working in cancer/supportive and palliative care included vocational drive with a desire to provide individualised treatment and adopt a person centred, empowering and caring approach; disillusionment with conventional care; career development and personal experience of cancer or other serious illness. Conclusion: Findings indicated that motivational factors for therapists working in cancer care/supportive and palliative care were varied and highlighted a combination of 'push and pull' factors, particularly for therapists who are also health care practitioners. Further research related to volunteering, sustainable services and support and training for therapists is required.
AB - Purpose: To uncover complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care. Method: The study employed a multiple case-study design, involving three cancer/supportive and palliative care settings in the North West of England. A questionnaire survey (n = 51) was undertaken, followed by semi-structured interviews with a subgroup of the sample (n = 28). Results: Participants had a mean age of 50 years, were predominantly female and had varied career backgrounds, including prior professional experience in healthcare, teaching and private complementary therapy practice. Motivation for working in cancer/supportive and palliative care included vocational drive with a desire to provide individualised treatment and adopt a person centred, empowering and caring approach; disillusionment with conventional care; career development and personal experience of cancer or other serious illness. Conclusion: Findings indicated that motivational factors for therapists working in cancer care/supportive and palliative care were varied and highlighted a combination of 'push and pull' factors, particularly for therapists who are also health care practitioners. Further research related to volunteering, sustainable services and support and training for therapists is required.
KW - Cancer
KW - Complementary therapists
KW - Experience
KW - Motivation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67649845836&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.03.004
DO - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.03.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 19595418
AN - SCOPUS:67649845836
VL - 15
SP - 161
EP - 165
JO - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
JF - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
SN - 1744-3881
IS - 3
ER -