MEDICAL PLURALISM: USE OF TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AMONG CANCER PATIENTS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pakistan lacks conventional medical facilities for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer, despite it being the second leading cause of death in the country. In the treatment and management of cancer disease, medical pluralism has drawn attention worldwide, including in Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adoption of medical pluralism and use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine by the cancer patients in Punjab, Pakistan. While using qualitative study design, a total of 40 in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected cancer patients, in Punjab, Pakistan. The data have been collected in four months between September 2022 and December 2022 from four major cancer hospitals in Punjab and analysed using NVIVO 11 and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that medical pluralism is deeply ingrained in cancer patients' healthcare-seeking behaviours in Punjab. Patients often seek conventional biomedical treatments along with complementary therapies like spiritual healing, herbal medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture, ayurveda and yoga. The use of conventional along with traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine contribute towards better treatment and management of the disease and overall well-being of cancer patients.