1. Alternative Medicine in the U.S.
James G. Anderson, Ph.D.
Purdue University

2. Objective
To document trends in alternative medicine use in the U.S. between 1990 and 1997.

3. Design
Nationally representative random household telephone surveys using comparable key questions were conducted in 1991 and 1997 measuring utilization in 1990 and 1997, respectively.
A total of 1539 adults in 1991 and 2055 in 1997.
Prevalence, estimated costs and disclosure of alternative therapies to physicians were measured.

4. Other countries % of population who used alternative medicine during the past 12 months
10% Denmark
15% Canada
33% Finland
49% Australia

5. Types of Alternative Therapies
Relaxation techniques
Herbal medicine
Massage
Chiropractic
Spiritual healing
Megavitamins
Self-help group
Imagery

6. Types of Alternative Therapies
Commercial diet
Folk remedies
Lifestyle diet
Energy healing
Homeopathy
Hypnosis
Biofeedback
Acupuncture

7. Results
Use of at least 1 of 16 alternative therapies during the previous year increased from 33.8% in 1990 to 42.1% in 1997.
The probability of users visiting an alternative medicine practitioner increased from 36.3% to 46.3%.

8. Results
Therapies increasing the most included: herbal medicine massage megavitamins self-help groups folk remedies energy healing homeopathy

9. Results Alternative therapies used most frequently for:
Back problems
Anxiety
Depression
Headaches

10. Disclosure of Alternative Therapies to Physicians
1990: %
1997: 38.5%

11. Percentage of Users paying Entirely Out-of-Pocket for Alternative Therapies
1990: 64%
1997: 68.3%

12. Total Visits to Alternative Medicine Practitioners in the U.S.
Alternative Practitioners : 427 million 1997: 629 million
Primary Care Physicians : 387 million 1997: 385 million

13. Estimated Total Expenditures for Alternative Medicine Services
1990: $14.6 billion
1997: $21.2 billion

14. Why Patients use Alternative Medicine
National study of why people in the U.S. use alternative medicine.
Objective – to investigate predictors of alternative health care use.

15. Hypotheses People seek alternative medicine because:
(1). they are dissatisfied with conventional treatment.
(2). they see alternative medicine as offering more personal autonomy and control over health care decisions.
(3). the alternatives are seen as more compatible with their beliefs, values, and world view.

16. Design
Written survey examining use of alternative health care and attitudes toward conventional medicine.
1035 individuals were randomly selected who lived throughout the United States.

17. Results Predictors of use of alternative medicine:
More education
Poorer health status
Chronic health problems
Holistic orientation to health
Experience that changed their world view
Membership in cultural groups such as environmentalism, feminism, spiritualism
Believing in the importance of body, mind, and spirit in treating health problems
Perceived efficacy (relief of symptoms)

18. Results Predictors of use by those who primarily use alternative medicine:
Distrust of conventional physicians and hospitals
Desire for control over health decisions
Dissatisfaction with conventional practitioners
Belief in importance ofn one’s inner life