Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/2440/78705
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Quality of life, coping strategies and support needs of women seeking Traditional Chinese Medicine for infertility and viable pregnancy in Australia: a mixed methods approach |
Author: | Ried, K. Alfred, A. |
Citation: | BMC Women's Health, 2013; 13(17):1-11 |
Publisher: | BioMed Central Ltd. |
Issue Date: | 2013 |
ISSN: | 1472-6874 1472-6874 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Karin Ried and Ann Alfred |
Abstract: | Background: Infertility affects about 15% of couples in Western-societies with most progressing to fertility clinics for treatment. Despite being common, infertility is often experienced as a lonely road for affected couples. In this paper we expand on our previously published findings of women’s experiences with infertility or difficulty of viable pregnancy who had sought Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy in Australia, and focus on women’s quality of life, coping strategies, and support needs. Methods: We applied mixed methods using the Tuebingen Quality of Life and the COPE questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 25 women with primary or secondary infertility, recurrent miscarriages or unexplained stillbirth, and who had consulted a TCM practitioner. We used a thematic approach to analyse the interviews, and descriptive statistics to evaluate questionnaire responses. Results: Women reported through both questionnaires and interviews compromised quality of life due to the high level of distress, guilt, grief, and frustration caused by infertility. However, our women represented a highly motivated sample, actively seeking alternative support. While the TCM approach to infertility management increased women’s sense of personal agency and control through education and continuity of care, the need for greater understanding and support on a societal level remains. Conclusions: In infertility, ongoing emotional and instrumental support is pivotal to the wellbeing and quality of life of the affected. Traditional Chinese Medicine addresses some support needs in infertility not routinely available in the Western model of care. More peer-led and professional-led support groups are greatly needed for women experiencing infertility to help break isolation and raise awareness of integrative approaches to fertility management. |
Keywords: | Infertility Quality of life Coping Social support Fertility awareness Traditional Chinese medicine |
Description: | Extent: 11p. |
Rights: | © 2013 Ried and Alfred; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
DOI: | 10.1186/1472-6874-13-17 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-13-17 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 4 General Practice publications |
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hdl_78705.pdf | Published version | 221.39 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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