The profiles of adults who consult alternative health practitioners and/or general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the profiles of people visiting only a general practitioner (GP), those visiting only a practitioner of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and those visiting both (GP&CAM).


METHODS
A comparative total population health survey in central Norway (HUNT 2).


METHODS
A total of 54,448 persons 20 years of age and over who answered questions about their use of health services during the previous 12 months.


METHODS
Sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived health, subjective health complaints, and a variety of common diseases.


RESULTS
Some 34,854 (64.0%) of those who answered the health service use question had visited only a GP, 837 (1.5%) only a CAM practitioner, and 4563 (8.4%) both during the last 12 months. The likelihood of being a CAM-only user as compared to a GP-only user was significantly increased (p < 0.005) if the participant was male; aged between 30 and 69; and without cardiovascular disease. The likelihood of being a GP&CAM user compared with a GP-only user was significantly increased (p < 0.005) for those who were female; aged between 30-59; had a higher education level; were non-smokers; had lower perceived global health; had a limiting chronic complaint; had experienced a health complaint during the last 12 months; had musculoskeletal disease; had a psychiatric complaint; and had hay fever.


CONCLUSIONS
There were few CAM-only users and they differ from GP-only users by being male, aged 30-69, and without cardiovascular disease. Users of both GP&CAM were less healthy with more complaints and poorer self-reported health than GP- and CAM-only users.
Steinsbekk
Aslak
A
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. aslak.steinsbekk@ntnu.no
Adams
Jon
J
Sibbritt
David
D
Jacobsen
Geir
G
Johnsen
Roar
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009664:Norway; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors