Thanner, M. and Nagel, E. and Loss, J. (2014) Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the German Outpatient Setting: Extent, Structure and Reasons for Provision. GESUNDHEITSWESEN, 76 (11). pp. 715-721. ISSN 0941-3790, 1439-4421
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Background: Research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has mainly focused on CAM utilisation by patients. Fewer studies have analysed extent and structure of CAM provision or the reasons why physicians offer CAM as a therapeutic option in the outpatient setting. Methods: A standardised questionnaire was developed addressing reasons and patterns of CAM provision. The questionnaire was sent by post to 2396 general practitioners and specialists in 9 selected German districts. 553 physicians participated in the survey (23%). Results: 63% of the respondents (n=350) answered that they had provided some sort of CAM to their patients within a period of 12 months preceding the study. The most frequently provided methods were acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies and homeopathy. In the sample, 90% of the orthopaedists were CAM providers, the highest rate among the participating disciplines. Several reasons for offering CAM were identified: conviction of therapeutic effectiveness regarding the patient's situation (68%), aspects of therapeutic freedom (47%) or less harmful side effects than conventional therapies (34%). 6% provide CAM for monetary reasons. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the provision of CAM is widespread in the German outpatient setting. However, it has to be taken into account that a selection bias may apply which may lead to an overestimation of CAM provision. Doctors' reasons to offer CAM are manifold; therapeutic reasons seem to outweigh economic motives.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CAM; CLASSIFICATION; PHYSICIANS; THERAPIES; complementary and alternative medicine; CAM; individual health services; out-of-pocket payment |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Institut für Epidemiologie und Präventivmedizin > Medical Sociology |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Aug 2019 07:58 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Aug 2019 07:58 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/9246 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
