Formerly referred to as complementary and alternative medicine, complementary and integrative health approaches encompass a wide range of natural healing approaches that are now often integrated into conventional healing practices. This is especially the case with respect to the management of chronic and long-term health conditions. Other practices, such as meditation, yoga, and taking natural supplements are considered part of self-care practices.
My research in this area over the past 21 years has focused on mainly on the motivations and reasons why people choose to use these health approaches, as well as whether they do or do not disclose their use to their physicians and specialists.
Journal Articles
Toussaint, L., Huynh, K., Kohls, N., Ewert, T., Sirois, F. M., Alberst, H., Hirsch, J. K., Hanshans, C., Nguyen, A., Van der Zee-Neuen, A., & Offenbächer, M. (in press). Expectations regarding Gastein Healing Gallery treatment and their connection to health-related quality of life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. (IF = 4.61). Open Access
Toussaint, L., Mguyen, A., Roettger, C., Cox, K., Offenbächer, M., Kohls, N., Hirsch, J. K., & Sirois, F. M. (2021). Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery in promoting psychological and physiological states of relaxation. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (IF = 2.65) Open access | Link to video summary
Upchurch, D. M., Liang, L., & Sirois, F. M. (2018). A dual continuum model of the reasons for use of complementary health approaches among overweight and obese adults: Findings from the 2012 NHIS. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine (IF = 2.84). Open access
Sirois, F. M., Bann, C. M., & Walsh, E. G. (2018). The role of mind-body awareness in the outcomes of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 22, 37-43 (IF = 0.97). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., Liang, L., & Upchurch, D. M. (2018). Use and disclosure of complementary health approaches (CHA) in U.S. adults with cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Cardiology, 122, 170-174. (IF = 3.13). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., Riess, L., & Upchurch, D. (2017). Implicit reasons for disclosure of use of complementary health approaches (CHA): A consumer commitment perspective. Annals of Behavioural Medicine, 51, 764–774. (IF = 4.87). Link | Self-archived version
Kristoffersen, A. E., Sirois, F. M., Stub, T., Hansen, A. H. (2017). Prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine use among people with coronary heart disease or at risk for this in the Tromsø 6 Study: A comparative analysis using protection motivation theory. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (IF = 2.84). Open access
Sirois, F. M., Kristofferson, A., & Salamonsen, A. (2016). Reasons for continuing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): A consumer commitment model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (IF = 2.84). Open access
Sirois, F. M. (2014). Looking beyond the barriers: Practical and symbolic factors associated with disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 6, 545-551. (IF = 1.81). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2014). Health-related self-perceptions over time and provider–based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in people with inflammatory bowel disease or arthritis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22, 701-709. (IF = 3.34). Link | Self-archived version.
Williams-Piehota, P., Sirois, F. M., Bann, C., Isenberg, K., & Walsh, E. G. (2011). Agents of change: How do CAM providers play a role in health behaviour change? Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 17, 22-31. (IF = 1.77) Link | Self-archived version
Bann, C. B., Sirois, F. M., & Walsh, E. G. (2010). Provider support in complementary and alternative medicine: Exploring the role of empowerment. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16, 745–752. (IF = 2.38) Link
*Wilson, K., & Sirois, F. M. (2010). Birth attendant choice and satisfaction with antenatal care: The role of birth philosophy, relational style, and health self-efficacy. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 28, 69-83. (IF = 3.21) Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2009). Comment on “Preventive screening of women who use complementary and alternative medicine providers”. Journal of Women’s Health, 18(8), 119-120. (IF = 3.02) Link | Self-archived version
Greene, A. M.,Walsh, E. G., Sirois, F. M., & McCaffrey, A. (2009). Perceived benefits of complementary and alternative medicine: A whole systems research perspective. The Open Complementary Medicine Journal, 1, 35-45. Open access
Sirois, F. M., & *Purc-Stephenson, R. (2008). Personality and consultations with complementary and alternative medicine practitioners: A five factor model investigation of degree of use and motives. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14 (9), 1151-1158. (IF = 2.38) Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & *Purc-Stephenson, R. (2008). When one door closes, another door opens: Physician availability and motivations to consult complementary and alternative medicine providers. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 14 (4), 228-236. (IF = 3.58) Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2008). Motivations for consulting complementary and alternative medicine practitioners: A comparison of consumers from 1997-8 and 2005. BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 8 (16). (IF = 2.84) Open access
Sirois, F. M. (2008). Provider-based complementary and alternative medicine use among three chronic illness groups: Associations with psychosocial factors and concurrent use of conventional health-care services. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 16 (2), 74-81. (IF = 3.34). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & *Purc-Stephenson, R. (2008). Consumer decision factors for initial and long-term use of complementary and alternative medicine. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 13, 3-19. Open access
Sirois, F. M. (2002). Treatment seeking and experience with complementary/alternative medicine: A continuum of choice. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 8(2), 127-134. (IF = 2.38). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & Gick, M.L. (2002). An investigation of the health beliefs and motivations of complementary medicine clients. Social Science and Medicine, 55 (6), 1025-1037. (IF = 5.38). Link | Self-archived version
Fuschia Sirois 