Does use of CAM for specific health problems increase with reduced access to care?
The objective of this paper was to determine predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among individuals with specific health problems. Data were derived from the 1998 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals with perceived barriers to obtaining care were more likely to use any CAM treatment (OR 2.16), herbal therapy (OR 2.70) and spiritual care (OR 3.99) for a specific health problem. Individuals dissatisfied with their family's access to care were more likely to use acupuncture (OR 3.43). Dissatisfaction with quality of care was associated with increased use of spiritual therapy (OR 4.74). Perceptions of inadequate access to health care may contribute to utilization of CAM therapies; such therapies in this instance appear to be used as an alternative to mainstream medicine.
Ritchie
Christine S
CS
Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Health Policy Research, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. csritchie@louisville.edu
Gohmann
Stephan F
SF
McKinney
W Paul
WP
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D026443:Spiritual Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data