title: Great expectations: what do patients using complementary and alternative medicine hope for?
abstract: The aim of this review is to summarize the published evidence regarding the expectations of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) users. We conducted electronic searches in MEDLINE and a hand search of our own files. Seventy-three articles met our inclusion criteria. A wide range of expectations emerged. In order of prevalence, they included hope to influence the natural history of the disease; disease prevention and health/general well-being promotion; fewer side effects; being in control over one's health; symptom relief; boosting the immune system; emotional support; holistic care; improving quality of life; relief of side effects of conventional medicine; good therapeutic relationship; obtaining information; coping better with illness; supporting the natural healing process; and availability of treatment. It is concluded that the expectations of CAM users are currently not rigorously investigated. Future studies should have a clear focus on specific aspects of this broad question.
authors.affiliation: Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods