Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ BMC Complementary Me...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
PubMed Central
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: PubMed Central
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
Serveur académique lausannois
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
versions View all 5 versions
addClaim

This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.

You have already added 0 works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.

Complementary medicine among individuals experiencing homelessness in Switzerland: a quantitative and qualitative descriptive study

Authors: Grazioli, V.S.; Hangartner, E.; Bodenmann, P.; Schaad, L.; Grosjean, L.; Nikles, J.; Campbell, DJT; +6 Authors

Complementary medicine among individuals experiencing homelessness in Switzerland: a quantitative and qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Abstract Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are disproportionately affected by health issues yet remain underserved by the health care system. Emerging findings suggest that complementary medicine (CM) approaches might help address the low access to earlier treatment and the complex needs of this population. Very little research has explored this topic in Europe. Thus, this study aimed to explore perceptions, experiences, and interests in CM among PEH in Switzerland. Methods Participants (N = 123) were PEH in French-speaking Switzerland who completed a questionnaire assessing their use of and interest in CM. A subsample of the survey participants (n = 18) and 14 professionals working in the homeless-serving sector participated in semi-structured interviews exploring perceived utility of CM for PEH. Descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results Quantitative findings showed that despite high levels of interest in CM, less than 30% of participants reported using CM at least once in the previous 6 months. The five CM modalities with the highest interest were osteopathy (61.5% interested or very interested), therapeutic massage (59.2%), nutritional supplements (57.1%), music therapy (50.8%), and acupuncture (49.1%). The qualitative findings reinforced the substantial interest in CM. They revealed that CM approaches were perceived as useful to mitigate some health and social issues frequently encountered in this population, ultimately contributing to improved health and well-being. Participants made recommendations for practices that would help engage and retain PEH in a CM program, such as making it accessible and equitable, and following certain steps to earn the trust of PEH. Finally, a minority of participants questioned the relevance of a CM program for this population, arguing instead that more urgent social and conventional medical needs must be addressed first. Conclusions Taken together, these findings suggest that integrative medicine, which incorporates conventional and complementary approaches to medical and social services may represent a suitable offering for PEH to address their competing bio-psycho-social needs. Using a community-based participatory approach to co-develop such a program might help to ensure effectiveness and thereby increase health equity.

Keywords

Complementary Therapies, Male, Adult, Integrative medicine, Switzerland, Research, Middle Aged, People experiencing homelessness, Humans; Switzerland; Ill-Housed Persons; Complementary Therapies/statistics & numerical data; Female; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Qualitative Research; Surveys and Questionnaires; Complementary medicine; Integrative medicine, Switzerland; People experiencing homelessness, Other systems of medicine, Surveys and Questionnaires, Ill-Housed Persons, Humans, Female, Complementary medicine, RZ201-999, Switzerland, Qualitative Research

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green
gold
Related to Research communities