Evaluation of Patient Outcome, Satisfaction, and Attitudes towards Integrative Medicine Model in Saudi Arabia: A Pilot Study

Background: In response to the wider use of traditional medicine especially wet cupping therapy (Hijamah) in Saudi Arabia, integrated cupping clinics were established as a model in two governmental hospitals in Jeddah and Medina. This study aimed at evaluating patients' outcome, satisfaction, and attitudes towards integrative cupping clinics.

Methods: A pilot survey study of patients treated in the two cupping integrative medicine clinics. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to measure the outcome of treatment by means of the Integrative Medicine Outcome Scale (IMOS), patients' satisfaction via the Integrative Medicine Patient Satisfaction Scale (IMPSS) and their attitudes towards the concept of integrated medicine (IM).

Results: Of the 168 patients included, 17.7% reported complete recovery, 47% stated a major improvement and 26% expressed a slight to moderate improvement. Concerning patient satisfaction, 39% were very satisfied, and 49% were satisfied. About 65% reported collectively complete recovery and major improvement. However, 88% were very satisfied or satisfied significantly with the services (p=<0.0001). Patients strongly agreed that integrated cupping clinic satisfies patients’ needs, it improves health care system and helps patients to avoid unqualified practitioners. However, they disagreed that the Ministry of Health (MOH) should provide only modern medicine or cupping can replace modern medicine.

Conclusion: Wet cupping model of integrative medicine clinics is a promising experience which needs to be replicated along with establishing similar clinics in other hospitals, and used as one of the healthcare transformation paradigms in Saudi Arabia.