HealthSearch has been set up by Integrative Health Trust Otago, a group of general practitioners, specialists, complementary health practitioners, academics and members of the public.
They began working together after a 2003 GP conference in Dunedin attended by Australian cancer survivor and meditation advocate Ian Gawler.
Spokeswoman for the group and University of Otago general practice lecturer Dr Monika Clark-Grill said it was realised that people, particularly those experiencing a health crisis, could find it hard looking for suitable health practitioners.
People were often looking for treatment outside conventional medicine, such as naturopathy or massage.
"We wanted to create an information tool that would enable the local community to see who the local practitioners are, what they are practising and what qualifications and experience they have."
There had been "long and intense discussions" with the Otago Community Trust, which contributed $50,000 to the project, over the sort of information which would be displayed and about quality control.
Dr Clark-Grill said the health trust did not endorse any practitioner, their skill or practice methods.
Practitioners were not allowed to make undue claims, such as that they could cure cancer, and their credentials were checked.
The website features about 50 practitioners, and includes a photo with a personal profile outlining the scope of practice, qualifications and experience.
Dr Clark-Grill said it was hoped more practitioners would register as the site became better known.
So far there are few GPs, but the list includes optometrists, psychotherapists, podiatrists, herbal medicine practitioners and homeopaths.
The health trust hoped that the new website would contribute to mutually respectful co-operation between practitioners from various fields in the best interest of patients.
Dr Clark-Grill said research showed people who chose complementary therapies as part of treatment had a great sense of "being more in the driving seat" in their medical care, which contributed to their quality of life.
This was especially true of those with chronic conditions.
*Site: healthsearch.org.nz
