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Developing a new model of delivery for naturopathic care: A mixed methods study on group delivered naturopathy for endometriosis
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Developing a new model of delivery for naturopathic care: A mixed methods study on group delivered naturopathy for endometriosis

Sophia Gerontakos
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.567
Appears in  Recent Southern Cross PhD Theses
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Gerontakos SE PhD 202517.86 MBDownloadView
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Abstract

Naturopathy Endometriosis Group visits Shared medical appointments Group medical visits Integrative medicine group visits Women's health
Background Endometriosis is a complex condition affecting women and people assigned female at birth, marked by pelvic pain and significant impacts on quality of life. While interdisciplinary care is recommended, access to services is limited due to financial and systemic barriers. Naturopathy is one therapy frequently sought by individuals with endometriosis, but its accessibility remains hindered by these challenges. Group visits are effective in chronic disease management and improving care access, yet they are under-researched in naturopathic practice. This project examined the feasibility of a group visit model for delivering naturopathic care to women with endometriosis. Methods A two-phase exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed. Phase 1 consisted of qualitative focus groups with patient (n=2 groups) and naturopath (n=1 group) participants (total n=16), analysed using thematic analysis. Data informed the development of the Naturopathic Medicine for Endometriosis (NatME) program, implemented in Phase 2—a pilot feasibility study (n=31). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive analysis for numerical data. Frequency distributions and percentages were used to describe categorical data. Results Qualitative findings from Phase 1 revealed patient themes regarding healthcare experiences: feeling unheard and disempowered; poorly coordinated and informed care; and financial vulnerability due to health system failures. Patient themes regarding perceptions of naturopathy included treating more than the disease: treated as a unique and whole individual; the naturopath plays an educator role; naturopathy takes a future-focused, long term view; and providing pain management is about more than treating pain. Naturopath themes included a multi-systems condition requires a multisystem approach; naturopathic treatment is directed by patient-led priorities and needs; diet is a game changer; and educating and empowering patients to facilitate change. Patient and naturopath themes regarding group visits included: providing education and peer support through a naturopathic lens; flexible, patient-led delivery with a structured approach; balancing group dynamics, good facilitation and individualised care are important; and improving accessibility to naturopathic care is a key benefit. Phase 2 data revealed high participant satisfaction and retention with the NatME program. Statistically significant improvements were observed in pain-related items across validated measures (p=0.003); as well as in all five items of the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-5). Conclusions Overall the project finds the NatME program is a feasible and well-accepted model of delivering naturopathic care for individuals with endometriosis and has a positive influence on health outcomes. Larger controlled trials are needed to further examine clinical efficacy of naturopathic group visits for endometriosis.

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