A qualitative exploration of Australian podiatrists’ perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

a) What is being observed? Australian podiatrists’ perspectives on complementary and alternative medicine therapies in podiatry. b) Why is it being observed? To date only one study so far has explored a similar theme. More research is warranted in this area. c) How will it be observed? Participating Australian podiatrists will be interviewed once via either a face-to-face interview, telephone interview or Skype (online) interview d) What is involved in the interview? Looks to explore 3 key themes through a mix of open ended questions that will vary based on the participants responses. 1.What are the perspectives of podiatrists on the utilization of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and its effectiveness? 2.Which specific Complimentary and Alternative Medicine therapies should be classified as Complimentary and Alternative Medicine in podiatry and why? 3.Is there a need to integrate Complimentary and Alternative Medicine into the podiatric medicine education system? e) What are the duration(s) of the interview(s) being performed? Interview times will range from 20-30 minutes. f) If multiple interviews are conducted, what is the frequency of the interviews? Each participant will be interviewed once only due to time constraints. g) What is the total duration of this observational study? We have given ourselves roughly 3 months to carry out the interview process and data collection.