Abstract
Chronic pain is a recognised clinical concern that can occur among people living with HIV and may negatively impact health-related quality of life. Although many HIV positive individuals live healthy lives with appropriate management, some experience persistent pain and seek traditional and complementary medicine (TCAM) alongside conventional care. Limited research has examined the challenges TCAM practitioners face when managing chronic pain in this population.
The study aimed to explore the challenges experienced by TCAM practitioners in managing chronic pain among people living with HIV.
A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 13 TCAM practitioners (five traditional health practitioners, four homeopaths, and four chiropractors). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Tesch’s eight-step thematic analysis approach.
Three themes emerged: (1) Clinical complexity and decision-making challenges in chronic pain management among people living with HIV, (2) Limited Interprofessional Collaboration and Referral Pathways between TCAM and Allopathic Practitioners, and (3) Lack of knowledge and recognition of TCAM practices within mainstream healthcare. Participants described challenges related to long-term patient management, fragmented communication, and professional integration across healthcare systems.
Findings suggest that TCAM practitioners encounter systemic and interprofessional barriers when managing chronic pain in people living with HIV. Strengthening collaboration and improving mutual understanding between healthcare sectors may enhance coordinated and patient-centered care.