The willingness of traditional healers regarding collaborationwith Western psychiatric health care.

[摘要] English: Traditional healers treat many black patients with mental illness. particularlythose living in rural areas. There is considerable literature to support thisstatement.The purpose of the study was: to explore and describe the willingness oftraditional healers regarding collaboration with western psychiatric healthcare; and the willingness of traditional healers regarding a possible change intheir own practice as a result of collaboration with western psychiatric healthcare. From these it would be possible to make recommendations with regardto possible areas of collaboration.The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in approach.It was therefore necessary to use a semi-structured interview to collect datafrom traditional healers. The sample consisted of fourteen traditional healersresiding in the rural areas of Mafikeng. Entrance was established through awritten permission to the chairman of the North West Traditional HealersAssociation to conduct research on traditional healers.Before data collection, traditional healers were given information regarding thepurpose of the study. Giorgi and Teeh's methods were used to analyse data.To ensure trustworthiness, Guba and Lincoln's approach was applied.The services of an independent coder were also sought.The findings of the study indicated that traditional healers are willing tocollaborate with western psychiatric health care and to exchange informationalthough they also have some reservations, particularly concerning aspects oftheir methods of practice. Four main themes were identified: broad scope of recognition and treatment of mental illness: feelings of confidence: acknowledgingcollaboration between traditional healers and western psychiatrichealth care: feelings of fear of change. The process of the study showed thatwith mutual respect and understanding, it is possible for western psychiatrichealth care to work with traditional healers for the purpose of renderingeffective mental health care to patients.Recommendations regarding inclusion of traditional healers in the westempsychiatric health care were made with the aim of ensuring a holistic approachin rendering mental health service to the community.

[发布机构] University of the Free State