PLOS Global Public Health · 9 authors, 6 centres
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Using a grounded theory approach with 18 traditional medicine practitioners in Uganda, this study developed a substantive theory that TMPs care for patients with cancer by restoring their hope in life through individualizing care, involving processes such as ensuring continuity of predecessors' roles, gaining full knowledge of the patient's cancer, and customizing care.
This qualitative study employed a modified Straussian grounded theory design to explore how traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) in Uganda understand and provide care to patients with cancer. Participants were 18 TMPs with at least 10 years of experience, purposively and theoretically sampled from 10 districts in Uganda. Data collection included researcher-administered in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions, analyzed using constant comparative analysis. The resulting substantive theory identified the core category as 'restoring patients' hope in life through individualizing care,' supported by five processes: ensuring continuity in predecessors' roles, having full knowledge of a patient's cancer disease, restoring hope in life, customizing or individualizing care, and improving the patient's condition. Limitations include the exclusion of TMPs with fewer than 10 years of experience and the absence of patient perspectives. The theory is not generalizable across all African cultures and may not represent newer practitioners trained outside traditional systems. Findings suggest a framework for improving traditional care quality and fostering collaboration between orthodox and traditional medicine.
