Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to explore the decision-making of patients with thalassemia on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) via a qualitative approach. Materials and Methods: The thematic content analysis of the data revealed a total of four themes: (1) patients' understanding towards CAM; (2) patients' decisions to use CAM; (3) negative views on conventional treatment; and (4) barriers to using CAM. Results: The participants mostly defined CAM as traditional medicine or treatment related to herbal medicine. Discussion: Those reported to use CAM in favor to encourage the production of blood together with the conventional therapies. The slow progression of CAM modalities and a high cost were the major barriers to use CAM. Conclusion: Further investigations are required concerning the effectiveness of using CAM among the patients with thalassemia, and wider knowledge on healthcare education related to this field is required to avoid any harmful interaction due to the combination of conventional and CAM therapies.