Analytical Method

Complementary medicines include: herbal medicines, vitamin and mineral supplements, other nutritional supplements, traditional medicines such as Ayurvedic medicines and traditional Chinese medicines, homoeopathic medicines, and aromatherapy oils (where they make therapeutic claims). There has been an increase in the use of CMs by Australians: In the most extensive comparative surveys undertaken to date in South Australia it was found in 1993 that 48.5 % of people reported using at least one CM in the last 12 months.1 By 2004, 52 % (n=3015) of people had reported taking one CM in the past 12 months.2 Self-prescribed vitamins, herbal medicines and mineral supplements are the most common CMs used: The South Australian studies found an increase in the use of herbal medicines from 9.9 % in 1993 to 20.6 % in 2004.1,2 Objectives • How do consumers use complimentary medicines? • What kind of information about complementary medicines (CMs) participants need? • How do consumers acquire information about their CMs? • How participants find information about CMs • The purpose of CMs in their lives. Data collection method This qualitative component was part of a multi-method investigation of CM users’ information needs. • In-depth interviews July–August 2007 • Interview technique: Sense-Making method3 • Random sample of participants from a national telephone survey (n = 24) • Sample represented high, medium and low users of CMs who lived in two major metropolitan centres and a regional centr