Health care choices: complementary therapy, chronic illness, and older rural dwellers.
OBJECTIVE
To better understand elderly rural dwellers use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM), perception of efficacy, and their sources of information.


METHODS
Ten participants between ages 60 and 80 years were interviewed by telephone. Qualitative analysis for content and themes was done.


RESULTS
Self-directed practices such as vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements, taken to compensate for perceived dietary deficiencies, were cited most frequently. Therapies used included biofeedback, massage, chiropractic, and podiatry. Information was obtained from the physician or nurse practitioner and supplemented with material from other sources.


CONCLUSIONS
Respondents were discriminating users of the products they selected and were satisfied with the results, although they did not always have accurate understanding of the effects of the supplement or therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Health professionals need to have knowledge about CAM and to include questions about use during patient encounters. Providers must take time to answer questions and provide user friendly information.
Nichols
Elizabeth
E
Montana State University-Bozeman.
Sullivan
Therese
T
Ide
Bette
B
Shreffler-Grant
Jean
J
Weinert
Clarann
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana / Q000453:epidemiology; D033262:Narration; D009658:North Dakota / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires