Why patients patronize the services of traditional bone setters: A phenomenological analysis of lived experiences of patients in Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

The hospital is a well-organized social system which provides comprehensive healthcare to patients suffering from different diseases and illnesses. It has a well-structured administrative machinery, highly trained professionals/experts in different fields of medicine, and equipped with advanced medical technology. The hospital thus is an institution which provides comprehensive therapeutic services to all its clients including patients with fractures. However, it has been observed that despite the presence of numerous hospitals in the Volta Region of Ghana, many fracture patients continue to patronize the services of Traditional Bone Setters (TBS) in mending their broken bones. Using the qualitative method, this study investigates reasons why patients continue to patronize the services of traditional bone setters in spite of the presence of the hospital. The study reviews the literature by conceptualizing traditional bone setters, the practice of traditional bone setting, and the fundamental factors that undergird the patronage of traditional bone setters in Africa. The study uses the Four A Model as a theoretical framework and phenomenology as a data collection approach. The study finds that three categories of people patronized the services of traditional bone setters. In addition, the study finds the fear of amputation, fear of surgery, skeletal traction, social support system, good review processes, fast healing, and familiarity with the practices of TBSs as factors responsible for the patronage of traditional bone setters. The study concludes that traditional bone setters constitute key stakeholders in the healing of bone fractures in the Volta Region of Ghana and contribute tremendously to primary healthcare.