Indonesian clinical psychologists' perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine research and knowledge: a content analysis study. Issue 3 (26th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liem, Andrian
• Is Part Of: Journal of mental health training, education and practice. Volume 14:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2019-04-26
• Subjects: Qualitative research -- Content analysis -- Indonesia -- Clinical psychology -- Complementary and alternative medicine; Mental health personnel -- Periodicals; Mental health personnel -- Training of -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Periodicals; 362.20715
• DOI: 10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2018-0018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-6228

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: As part of a nationwide research about knowledge, attitude, experiences and educational needs towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Indonesian clinical psychologists (CPs), the purpose of this paper is to explore CPs' perceptions of CAM research and their interest in learning CAM. Design/methodology/approach: A link to an online survey was e-mailed to all 1, 045 CPs across Indonesia. At the end of the survey, two open-ended questions were asked: "What do you think about CAM research in Indonesia?" and "Why are you interested in learning about CAM?", which were responded to by 127 participants (87 per cent of females; M age =36.67, SD=9.02). Participants' responses were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Findings: It was found that two global themes for CPs' perceptions of CAM were to improve participants' professionalism and as part of continuing education and development for mental health professionals. The favourable responses in this study may reflect participants' willingness to be involved in collaborative CAM research and education. Moreover, CAM was perceived as part of Indonesian culture and participants viewed CAM research and knowledge as a chance to promote Indonesian local wisdom to complement conventional psychotherapy. Research limitations/implications: These findings might call for stakeholders to integrate CAM knowledge into psychology education, facilitate CAM research in psychology settings and encourage collaborative CAM research. However, self-selection bias may limit the findings of this study. Originality/value: This study explored perceptions of CAM research and interest in learning CAM that have rarely been investigated among mental health professionals and particularly, until now, have not been investigated in Indonesia.