A qualitative study of Naturopaths and Herbalists’ experiences of the 2022 Northern New South Wales and Southeast Queensland flood events

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Due to climate change, disasters are expected to become more frequent and extreme. As a result, the short-term and long-term health impacts of disasters are likely to be more profound. Practitioners of Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine provide a patient-centred, holistic form of healthcare that may help mitigate the health impacts of disasters. The study aimed to explore for the first time, the experiences of Naturopaths and Herbalists in responding to the 2022 catastrophic flood events in Northern New South Wales and Southeast Queensland, Australia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews to investigate the experiences of Naturopaths and Herbalists in disaster response and recovery. RESULTS: Thirteen practitioners participated in an interview. Participants indicated that community connection was central to disaster response and recovery, and that their holistic and biopsychosocial approach was well-aligned with community healthcare needs after the floods. Despite diverse levels of experience, participants reported an ability to adapt their practice to meet the needs of flood-affected communities. Most participants expressed the need for the development of appropriate protocols to guide the provision of safe and effective community healthcare in future disaster events. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the distinctive role of Naturopaths and Herbalists in disaster response and recovery, including the unique contribution of these professions in addressing community healthcare needs. The development of suitable disaster protocols, including protocols for practitioner self-care, is an important next step in fostering a more responsive and sustainable approach to disaster response and recovery.