Factors determining choice of complementary and alternative medicine in acute and chronic diseases

Abstract

BackgroundSystematic analysis of the determinants of choice of a treatment modality aids to the understanding of decision process of healthcare utilization. The revealed preference of a single modality may differ according to the nature of disease. Existing studies have not integrated possible causal factors in a model with respect to diseases. This study identifies major determinants and formulates their integral effect on choice of a particular modality on acute and chronic diseases in accordance to socio-behavioural model.MethodologyA cross-sectional study on 300 samples using a 30-point questionnaire, developed in Likert scale and dichotomous scale. Possible determinants are tested on choice of CAM in case of acute disease and of chronic disease separately.ResultsRevealed single modality treatment preference (of CAM) varies widely between acute disease (13%) and chronic disease (58.67%). Bivariate associations are significant for gender (For, overall CAM preference, p=0.001, acute disease, p<0.001, chronic disease, p=0.024), Disease burden (overall and chronic: p<0.001, acute: p=0.008) and previous CAM usage (overall and chronic: p<0.001, acute: p=0.016). Social factor individually has significant influence on choosing CAM both acute (OR=1.096, p<0.001) and chronic disease (OR=1.036, p<0.001). Ideation of philosophical need factor, guided by philosophical congruence with CAM (OR=1.047, p<0.001) is a novel finding of this study. While with multiple logistic regression male gender (p=0.03), social factor (p<0.001), perception of CAM efficacy (p=0.02) and negative ideation about CAM cost-effectiveness (p=0.002) are found to be important in Acute disease; choosing CAM in chronic disease is guided by female gender (p=0.001), making decision in-group (p=0.001), low disease burden (p<0.001), philosophical need factor (p=0.001), and perception of CAM efficacy (p<0.001).ConclusionDemographic, social, cognitive and philosophical factors are important determinants of choosing CAM as a treatment modality over conventional medicine, but they act differently on CAM preference in acute and chronic diseases.

Traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) usage and its association with Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) among individuals with metabolic syndrome in primary care

“…In our study, women were found to be twice more likely to use TCM compared to men. Our finding is similar to studies in India and Turkey [32,33]. Women have been found to have better help-seeking behaviours compared to men [34] and are thought to be more involved in self-care and self-treatment [35], and this could be the reason for their high TCM use.…”

Psychological determinants of the use of complementary and alternative medicine – CAM

“…Osoby korzystające z CAM często deklarują, że fakt stosowania CAM nie jest wyizolowanym z ich osobowości i systemu wartości jednostkowym aktem behawioralnym, lecz stanowi element spójny z innymi postawami, przekonaniami i światopoglądem jednostki [16,18,21,35]. Mimo, iż zwolennicy CAM w mniejszym stopniu wykazują potrzebę zdobycia dogłębnej i wyczerpującej wiedzy na temat różnych aspektów rzeczywistości, starają się jednak zbudować wokół CAM względnie spójną reprezentację poznawczą wyrażającą się w pewnych charakterystycznych dla tych osób przekonań.…”

“…Wiara w leczniczą moc natury i holistyczna orientacja zdrowotna stanowią niejednokrotnie u użytkowników CAM część większego systemu filozoficznego czy światopoglądowego. Sami korzystający z CAM podkreślają, że stosowanie CAM jest zgodne i spójne z ich filozofią życiową i poglądami [35,51]. Grupę zwolenników CAM częściej charakteryzuje posiadanie tzw.…”

Palliative care and good death in acute diseases: a scoping review protocol

“…Acute diseases, such as infections, injuries, acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses, are sudden, rapid and severe diseases that last for a brief time period. 11,12 High mortality rate might be found on acute emergency admission, especially amongst the elderly with multiple co-morbid conditions. 13 Therefore, palliative care should be an important component in acute disease management, particularly for severe cases.…”