Research
Welcome to the research page of the South Pacific College of Natural Medicine (SPCNM), where we share our recent peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations and current research projects.
Our commitment to academic excellence drives us to explore research projects that inform and elevate natural health practices. We hope to foster a culture of inquiry and evidence-based practice, to inspire and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Our research is guided by the College’s vision to create an inspiring future for natural medicine.
Through our research, we aim to contribute valuable insights and data to the global body of knowledge in natural medicine to better define the work we do and to identify its efficacy and contribution to the health of New Zealanders.
Ethics: To date, the research undertaken by the College has been low risk and does not require approval from the Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC). The College has its own Research Ethics Committee, comprising of healthcare practitioners, academics, industry members, a Māori representative and a client/consumer representative.
Recent research outputs
SPCNM Peer-reviewed Journal publications: 2022- July 2024
Patel, A., Carruthers, R., Wesseling, K., Mees, K., & Hill, W (in press). Client experiences and perceptions of naturopathic treatment in New Zealand: a qualitative study. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102390
Patel, A., Hill, W., Wesseling, K., Standen, C., & Carruthers, R. (2024) The role of a campus herb garden in promoting social and personal wellbeing in naturopathic students. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 11(2), 107-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2024.05.003
Patel, A., Carruthers, R., Hill, W., Wesseling, K., & Mees, K. (2024). Exploring why individuals utilise naturopathic treatment and choose to combine naturopathy with biomedicine. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 67, 102347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102347
Patel, A., Hill, W., Wesseling, K., Mees, K., Carruthers, R., & Standen, C. (2022). The role of an on-campus herb garden in facilitating teaching and learning for students enrolled in a naturopathic and herbal medicine degree. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 9(3), 191-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2022.06.003
Patel, A., Wesseling, K., Carruthers, R., & Hill, W. (2022). Older adults’ utilisation of a student naturopathic clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 9(2), 115-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2021.07.003
SPCNM Conference presentations
Mees, K., Patel, A., Smith, S., Hayes, M., & Carruthers, R. (August, 2024). Who are our clients? A snapshot from a student naturopathy clinic. Poster presented at Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand Annual Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
Patel, A., Carruthers, R., Wesseling, K., Mees, K., & Hill W. (August, 2024). Why clients integrate naturopathy with biomedicine: Findings from an Auckland-based qualitative study. Poster presented at Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand Annual Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
Patel, A., Carruthers, R., Hill, W., Wesseling, K., Mees, K., & Standen, C. (2023, February). Promoting wellbeing in undergraduate naturopathic students: The health promoting role of a campus garden. Paper presented at the Annual Scientific Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine Hybrid Conference: Geelong, Australia and Online.
Patel, A., Wesseling, K., Hill, W., Mees, K., & Carruthers, R. (2022, June). Older New Zealanders’ utilization of naturopathic treatment: a qualitative study. Poster presented at the 22nd World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics IAGG 2022 (pp 203). Virtual Conference.
Hill, W., Wesseling, K., Carruthers, R., & Standen, C. (2022, February) An investigation into the perceived educational value of an on-campus herb garden in a college of natural medicine. Paper presented at the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists Annual Conference. Virtual Conference.
Patel, A., Wesseling, K., Hill, W., & Carruthers, R. (2021, October). Older adults’ utilisation of a natural medicine clinic in Auckland. Paper presented at the joint Age Concern & New Zealand Association of Gerontology Conference: Vision for Ageing in Aotearoa. Virtual Conference.
Patel, A., Wesseling, K., Hill, W., & Carruthers, R. (2021, August). The use of natural medicine among older aged New Zealanders. Paper presented at the Naturopaths & Medical Herbalists of New Zealand Conference: Reflections on the Past Visions for the Future (pp 13). Virtual Conference.
Current projects
- Impact of Bachelor of Natural Medicine degree on whanau and communities – “Graduate study”.
- Participants were graduates of the college who are not working in clinical practice or within industry. The aims of the study were to ascertain how they are using their knowledge in the care of whanau and community.
- The data from this study is currently being analysed.
- Nurses’ naturopathy & Herbal Medicine Study
- Participants were those who have a background in nursing and who have chosen to study naturopathy/herbal medicine. This study explores their motivations for doing so.
- Data has been collected from 20 Participants
- Transcription is in progress
- Case study series: Endometriosis, anxiety and/or pre-diabetes
An Ethics application is in progress to submit to our internal Ethics Committee for a number of case series from clients presenting to the Paua Clinic. Students and Clinic Supervisors will be involved in the project in which we hope to capture the variety of approaches used in natural medicine.
