A model for the integration of homeopathy into the public healthcare system in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Background The public healthcare system in South Africa services the majority of its population, as many are unable to afford the services that exist in the private sector. Due to this momentous task of servicing millions of South Africans, the public sector has become overburdened with many issues. Some of the issues that plague this sector include a lack of resources, insufficiency of personnel and financial constraints due to over-usage. Based on this context, the introduction of complementary alternative medicine, such as homoeopathy, into the public healthcare system exists as one of the potential resolutions to this burdened healthcare sector. Aim The aim of the study was to gather data, both descriptive and statistical, from healthcare professionals in KZN in order to develop a model for integrating homoeopathy into the public healthcare system. Methodology The researcher conducted a mixed methods study using an explanatory sequential design. Thus, the study was conducted in two Phases. Phase 1 employed quantitative measurement tools, where data was collected from medical doctors, nurses and homoeopaths through paper-and-pen/ electronic surveys. This data was analysed using version 25 of the SPSS software. Phase 2 incorporated measurement tools, where data was collected from Chief Operating Officers as well as nursing managers through semi-structured interviews. This data was analysed using Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis. The data from both phases was then compared and contrasted to formulate a model for integration. Findings Based on the current circumstances that exist in South Africa, it was established from the results of the study that the integration of homoeopathy into the public healthcare system would be complex in nature, due to the changes that would need to be made in both the public and private sectors. Albeit a model of integration was developed, based on the limitations identified in this study, further research needs to be conducted to investigate this phenomenon.