Use of unconventional therapies by primary care patients--religious resources vs. complementary or alternative medicine services.
OBJECTIVE
The study examines the difference in characteristics between primary care patients who turn to "religious resources for medical purposes" (RRMP) and those who turn to "complementary or alternative medicine" (CAM) services to cope with a physical or mental health problem.


METHODS
Data were collected from eight primary care clinics in Israel and included 905 Jewish patients aged 25-75.


METHODS
A self-report questionnaire with a battery of validated mental health assessment instruments and two questionnaires regarding use of unconventional therapies (RRMP and CAM services) were administered to the participants. The association of various variables with type of 'service use' was examined through logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Primary care patients suffering from emotional problems have a propensity to utilize unconventional therapies in addition to conventional medical treatment. However, differences exist between patients who turn to RRMP and to CAM. The risk factors for turning to RRMP are North African, Middle Eastern or Israeli origin, low SES, religious observance, and high use of primary care clinics. For using CAM services the risk factor is high SES.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, a quarter of primary care patients also use additional resources for their medical problems. While all segments of the population use unconventional resources, our study reveals that two types of unconventional therapies - RRMP and CAM - tend to be used by two different population sectors. It is noteworthy that those suffering from mental health problems are more likely to utilize unconventional resources.
The Falk Institute for Mental Health Studies, Kfar Shaul Hospital, Givat Shaul, 91060 Jerusalem, Israel; Social Work Department, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel. Electronic address: tzipi58@zahav.net.il.
Tzipi
T
Hornik-Lurie
Julie
J
Cwikel
Marjorie C
MC
Feinson
Yaacov
Y
Lerner
Nelly
N
Zilber
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012067:Religion; D026443:Spiritual Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Complementary or alternative medicine; Primary care patients; Religious resources for medical purposes