The willingness of traditional healers regarding collaboration with Western psychiatric health care.

English: Traditional healers treat many black patients with mental illness. particularly those living in rural areas. There is considerable literature to support this statement. The purpose of the study was: to explore and describe the willingness of traditional healers regarding collaboration with western psychiatric health care; and the willingness of traditional healers regarding a possible change in their own practice as a result of collaboration with western psychiatric health care. From these it would be possible to make recommendations with regard to possible areas of collaboration. The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in approach. It was therefore necessary to use a semi-structured interview to collect data from traditional healers. The sample consisted of fourteen traditional healers residing in the rural areas of Mafikeng. Entrance was established through a written permission to the chairman of the North West Traditional Healers Association to conduct research on traditional healers. Before data collection, traditional healers were given information regarding the purpose of the study. Giorgi and Teeh's methods were used to analyse data. To ensure trustworthiness, Guba and Lincoln's approach was applied. The services of an independent coder were also sought. The findings of the study indicated that traditional healers are willing to collaborate with western psychiatric health care and to exchange information although they also have some reservations, particularly concerning aspects of their methods of practice. Four main themes were identified: broad scope of recognition and treatment of mental illness: feelings of confidence: acknowledging collaboration between traditional healers and western psychiatric health care: feelings of fear of change. The process of the study showed that with mutual respect and understanding, it is possible for western psychiatric health care to work with traditional healers for the purpose of rendering effective mental health care to patients. Recommendations regarding inclusion of traditional healers in the westem psychiatric health care were made with the aim of ensuring a holistic approach in rendering mental health service to the community.