Alternative/complementary medicine: wider usage than generally appreciated.

P Wolsko; L Ware; J Kutner; C T Lin; G Albertson; L Cyran; L Schilling; R J Anderson

doi:10.1089/10755530050120682

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Alternative/complementary medicine: wider usage than generally appreciated.

P Wolsko·L Ware·J Kutner·C T Lin·G Albertson·L Cyran·L Schilling·R J Anderson

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that there is substantial use of a practitioner of alternative/complementary medicine by patients traditionally considered to be underserved. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-administered survey study. SETTINGS: Three university hospital-affiliated general ambulatory clinics serving patients of different socioeconomic status and racial origin. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and thirty-six (93% of those attending) consecutive clinic attendees. OUTCOME MEASURES: Past use and desired future use of one or more practitioners of five modalities of alternative/complementary medicine and willingness to pay for these modalities out-of-pocket. RESULTS: Past usage and desired future usage of one or more practitioners of alternative/complementary medicine was comparable at the three clinic sites despite wide differences in socioeconomic status and willingness/ability to pay out-of-pocket for these services. Multivariable analyses revealed lower self-rated health status and female gender (both p < 0.006) but not income, race, age or education as independent, significant predictors of use of a practitioner of alternative/complementary medicine. CONCLUSION: Usage of alternative/complementary medicine is not confined to any well-circumscribed socioeconomic group and is common in patients often considered to be underserved. Self-assessed lower health status is significantly and independently associated with use of a practitioner of alternative/complementary care.

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Adolescent Adult Aged Colorado Complementary Therapies Cross-Sectional Studies Female Humans Male Medically Underserved Area Middle Aged Patient Acceptance of Health Care Socioeconomic Factors Surveys and Questionnaires Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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P Wolsko, L Ware, J Kutner, C T Lin, G Albertson, L Cyran, L Schilling, R J Anderson. 2000. Alternative/complementary medicine: wider usage than generally appreciated.. https://doi.org/10.1089/10755530050120682

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