Factors Influencing Preferences for Traditional and Complementary Medicine Offered by Informal Practitioners in Türkiye

Abstract

Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) has a long history and is gaining global popularity. In Europe, official regulations are increasingly shaping its practice. Standardized definitions, country-specific core practices, and reporting guidelines are suggested to enhance study quality. This study aims to identify and evaluate key factors influencing the preference for T&CM services provided by informal providers in Türkiye. The study was conducted in Karaman, Türkiye, among informal practitioners, service users, and experts. A purposive sampling method was used, and data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 20 participants. Thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA 18 software, with 680 minutes of recorded interviews transcribed and analyzed. Participants had a mean age of 36 years, 75% had an income at least twice the minimum wage, and 62.5% were male. The most used methods were cupping (hijama), chiropractic intervention, and phytotherapy. Factors influencing T&CM preference included contemporary medicine-based orientations, a positive attitude towards T&CM, a positive attitude towards practitioners, religion-based factors, feelings of helplessness, recollections, and experiences, non-serious conditions, and a lack of awareness or education. Understanding these determinants is crucial for healthcare professionals and managers to integrate T&CM into regulated healthcare settings, ensuring safer and more controlled treatment options.