Why Seek Complementary Medicine? An Observational Study in Homeopathic, Acupunctural, Naturopathic and Mainstream Medical Practice

Abstract

There is a steady increase in patients seeking complementary medicine (CM). Little is known about Dutch CM patients and the extent in which they differ from those of mainstream health care seekers. 1839 consecutive new patients consulting one of 40 CM physicians completed a questionnaire before entering the consulting room. Resulting CM patient data was compared with that from 2784 mainstream general practice patients. Differences in patient profiles were tested using multilevel regression analysis. CM patients most often appeared to report general complaints. Half of them consulted a CM physician because they were looking for information and advice from a different angle. One fifth had doubts about mainstream healthcare. The CM patients foremost expected to be treated as a person and to get ample time to talk. The profiles of the patients attending the different types of CM physicians did not differ much. Compared to mainstream patients, CM patients more often appeared to be female and higher educated. We conclude that, contrary to expectations, patients do not consult a CM physician for reasons of disappointment with mainstream GP care. CM consulters primarily appear to seek a physician who takes time and who treats their complaints from a holistic viewpoint.

A 6-year comparative economic evaluation of healthcare costs and mortality rates of Dutch patients from conventional and CAM GPs

“…This approach is associated with prescribing fewer CON pharmaceuticals, tests and operations. Nissen et al , 18 based on a review of the literature on citizens’ attitudes and needs concerning CAM in Europe, concluded that “many citizens in Europe value the practice of CAM, particularly the CAM provider-patient relationship, and the patient-centred and holistic approach aspired to by many CAM providers (p.14).” Van Dulmen et al 19 concluded in a Dutch study comparing patients visiting CON GPs and three types of CAM GPs (HOM, acupuncture and naturopathy) that contrary to expectations, patients do not consult a CAM physician because they are disappointed with mainstream GP care. CAM patients primarily appear to be seeking a physician who takes the time to talk with them and who will treat their complaints from a holistic viewpoint.…”

An integrative review of complementary and alternative medicine use for back pain: a focus on prevalence, reasons for use, influential factors, self-perceived effectiveness, and communication

“…Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, although effective for symptomatic pain relief in back pain, have shown more adverse effects than paracetamol during long-term use [8]. As unresolved back pain results in reduced physical function and psychological distress [24], back pain sufferers tend to explore a wide range of treatments, including CAM [13,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. Although evidence for CAM treatments in back pain is inconclusive [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41], a wide range of CAM treatments are available in the market place consisting of practitioner-based CAM treatments (eg, acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage) and self-prescribed CAM for back pain (eg, vitamins, supplements, and aromatherapy oils) [13,[26][27][28][29][30][42][43][44][45][46][47].…”

Electronic Registration in Complementary/Homeopathic Medical Practice with Identification of ‘Best Homeopathic Cases’: A Pilot Study

“…18 Other reasons found (of those we investigated, see section 'Results') for why patients would consult a CAM practitioner in addition to conventional care, were that they wish advice 'from a different angle', or they have doubts about mainstream healthcare. 20 In our study, 36.3% of all patients indicated a preference for CAM/homeopathy. Among the 'best homeopathic cases', 56% of patients had suffered from their main complaint for !…”