Postmodern attitudes about health: a population-based exploratory study.
OBJECTIVE
This paper presents a preliminary exploration of the prevalence of postmodern attitudes about health.


METHODS
In a region of southeastern Australia structured telephone interviews with a random sample of 209 participants.


RESULTS
Responses suggesting postmodern attitudes to health were prevalent: the majority of respondents appear to hold a holistic view of health, believe in individual responsibility for achieving health, reject medical authority, hold consumerist values, prefer natural products over chemical drugs, think most prescription drugs have side effects, do not believe all illnesses require medication from doctors and hold anti-technology sentiments. However, results reveal that most people have much faith in science.


CONCLUSIONS
Attitudes prevalent among the public in south eastern Australia are congruent with the philosophy of most complementary therapists. This may be one reason for the growth of complementary medicine.
Siahpush
M
M
La Trobe University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Victoria, Australia.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011639:Public Opinion; D012424:Rural Population; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012941:Social Responsibility