Lee YJ, Coleman M, Nakaziba KS, Terfloth N, Coley C, Epparla A, Corbitt N, Kazungu R, Basiimwa J, Lafferty C, Cole K, Agwang G, Kathawala E, Nkolo T, Wogali W, Richard EB, Rosenheck R and Tsai AC (2025). Perspectives of traditional healers, faith healers, and biomedical providers about mental illness treatment: qualitative study from rural Uganda. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 12, e29, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2025.18

Key Takeaways

The qualitative study explores the perspectives of traditional healers, faith healers, and biomedical providers regarding mental illness treatment in rural Uganda.
It highlights the distinct dynamics and relationships between these three groups.
Biomedical providers generally view faith healers positively but have concerns about traditional healers.
Traditional and faith healers value biomedical approaches but sometimes feel excluded or marginalized.
There is interest in collaboration across groups, but it is complicated by power dynamics, economic concerns, and differing views on mental illness.
Traditional healers and faith healers often refer patients to biomedical providers, but reciprocal referrals are rare.

Rationale

The study addresses the need for culturally appropriate mental healthcare systems in post-colonial settings like Uganda, where multiple healing traditions coexist.

It notes that while many people in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) seek care from traditional healers and faith healers, there are challenges in implementing collaborative care models.

The study aims to contribute to the literature on mental healthcare delivery in LMICs and provide insights for policy and practice.

Knowledge Gap:

Previous research indicates that while traditional healers and faith healers often express a willingness to work with biomedical providers, this openness is not always reciprocated.

There are barriers to collaboration, including differences in beliefs about mental illness causation and treatment, concerns about exploitation, and economic considerations.

Research Questions:

The study explores the attitudes and perspectives of traditional healers, faith healers, and biomedical providers in the rural Buyende District in Uganda regarding mental health treatment and potential collaboration.

Method

Sample Size and Participants: The study included 67 participants: 24 traditional healers, 20 faith healers, and 23 biomedical providers.
Setting: The study was conducted in the Buyende District, a rural area of eastern Uganda.
Data Collection: Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
Data Analysis: The framework method was used to analyze the data. Multiple coders were involved, and interpretations were verified through team discussions.
Software Used: The study did not use qualitative data analysis software.

Results:

The study identified three main themes:

Theme 1: Biomedical providers’ perspective on traditional healers and faith healers.

Biomedical providers value faith healers as potential allies in providing holistic mental healthcare, particularly for their role in psychological and spiritual support.
Biomedical providers expressed concerns about traditional healing practices.
Community members often conceal their visits to traditional healers, while openly acknowledging seeking help from faith healers.
A quote illustrating this theme: “These people faith healers are always hoping, praying, and counseling these people who are mentally ill. They even give these people rules and guidance on how to live. So, these people have hope and faith in God that they will be cured and healed.” – Biomedical Provider, 22-year-old woman

Theme 2: Traditional healers’ and faith healers’ perspectives on biomedical providers.

Both traditional healers and faith healers acknowledge situations where biomedical care is necessary.
Traditional healers reported feeling marginalized and disrespected by biomedical providers.
Traditional healers assert their unique expertise, particularly for conditions they view as having cultural or traditional causes.
Faith healers generally view their roles as complementary to biomedical care.
A quote illustrating this theme: “It is very important because once other treatments have failed, the patient with mental illness can be referred to the hospital for treatment” – Faith Healer, 59-year-old man

Theme 3: Opportunities and barriers to collaboration.

Economic concerns and power dynamics affect potential collaboration.
Traditional healers, who operate on a fee-for-service basis, expressed concerns about how collaboration might affect their livelihoods.
Some providers expressed interest in mutual learning and observation.
Biomedical providers saw the benefit of involving faith healers in collaborative models, as many patients trust faith healers.
A quote illustrating this theme: “A question I have is that if we are working together, there are patients we can work on, and one party complains that they have not been paid, just as you know that always money brings problems. Yet, I cannot tell the patient because that is our secret between us. Because for you, you have to use your machines and test these patients, and I also have to use my herbs.” – Traditional Healer, 31-year-old man

Insight

The study highlights the importance of recognizing the distinct perspectives and roles of traditional healers, faith healers, and biomedical providers in mental healthcare delivery in rural Uganda.

It challenges the practice of grouping traditional healers and faith healers together, demonstrating important differences in how these groups are perceived and how they interact with the biomedical system.

The findings also reveal the enduring impact of colonial-era attitudes on current healthcare dynamics, with biomedical providers having more favorable views towards faith healers compared to traditional healers.

Clinical Implications

The findings have implications for treatment and policy in Uganda.

They suggest that collaboration strategies must be tailored to the specific needs and perspectives of traditional healers and faith healers.

For faith healers, who already occupy a more complementary role, more integrated referral and communication systems may be appropriate.

In contrast, collaboration with traditional healers would require more fundamental approaches that recognize their unique cultural expertise and address potential economic marginalization.

Strengths

The study employed a rigorous qualitative approach, using both in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to capture complementary perspectives.

It also involved multiple coders with different cultural perspectives and implemented strategies to mitigate potential biases.

Limitations:

The study’s geographic specificity to the Buyende District limits broad generalizability.

The researchers acknowledge that the research assistants, while Ugandan, were not local to the area and represented a more educated urban demographic, which could have introduced bias.

The presence of American research assistants during interviews could have also influenced participant responses.

Reference