The use of complementary and alternative medicine by primary care patients- A SURF*NET study

BACKGROUND Despite the increased use and acceptance of complementary and al ternative medicine (CAM) practices and practitioners by patients and health care providers, there is relatively little information available concernin g the reasons for use or its effect on patient health status and well-being , METHODS We conducted a survey of 542 patients attending 16 family practice clinics that belong to a community-based research network in San Diego, Cal ifornia, to determine patients' reasons for using CAM therapies in conjunct ion with a visit to a family physician and the impact of these therapies on their health and wellbeing. RESULTS Approximately 21% of the patients reported using one or more forms of CAM therapy in conjunction with the most important health problem underl ying their visit to the physician. The most common forms of therapy were vi siting chiropractors (34.5% of CAM users), herbal remedies and supplements (26.7%), and massage therapy (17.2%). Recommendations from friends or cowor kers, a desire to avoid the side effects of conventional treatments, or fai lure of conventional treatments to cure a problem were the most frequently cited reasons for using these therapies. Use of practitioner-based therapie s was significantly and independently associated with poor perceived health status, poor emotional functioning, and a musculoskeletal disorder, usuall y low back pain, Use of self-care-based therapies was associated with high education and poor perceived general health compared with a year ago. Use o f traditional folk remedies was associated with Hispanic ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical conditions that p redict use of CAM therapies by primary care patients in conjunction with a current health problem vary with the type of therapy used.