Use of Complementary Medicine in Switzerland

Abstract

Within the framework of the Swiss governmental Program of Evaluation of Complementary Medicine (PEK) we assessed the prevalence, use, perceived effectiveness and appreciation of complementary medicine (CAM) in Switzerland, according to published surveys. Materials and Methods: Search was performed through electronic databases, by hand-searching and by contacting experts at universities, hospitals, health insurances, patient organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Results: Surveys were carried out among the general population (40%), physicians (20%), hospitalized patients (30%) and obstetric institutions (5%). The number of publications increased strongly between 1981 and 2004. The mean ± SD prevalence (use) of CAM is 49 ± 22% and varies depending on the survey’s topic and the population group interviewed. The acceptance, appreciation or demand for CAM among individuals specifically interviewed on CAM is 91 ± 6%. When asked about favored general improvements in healthcare, 6.5% of the individuals spontaneously mentioned CAM. CAM therapies are considered to be effective by the majority of CAM users and by about 40% of cancer patients using CAM. Approximately 50% of the population stated a preference for hospitals that also provide CAM. 85% of the population wishes the costs for CAM to be covered by the basic health insurance. Conclusion: Approximately half of the Swiss population has used CAM. CAM treatment is considered to be effective by the majority of CAM users. About 50% of the population would prefer hospitals that also provide CAM therapies and the majority of the population wishes the cost for CAM therapies to be covered by basic health insurance.

Medicinal Systems of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Survey at a Pediatric Emergency Department

“…11 CAM is often used in Switzerland. [12][13][14][15] A survey published in 2002 described that 30% of the Swiss people did use some form of CAM: 12% had used homeopathy, 11% had used Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or acupuncture, 5% herbal medicine (phytotherapy), 2% anthroposophic medicine, and 1% neuraltherapy. 16 The use of CAM in Switzerland, its efficacy, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness have been evaluated within the frames of a federal program (Complementary Medicine Evaluation Program, PEK), which revealed that CAM was associated with a higher patient satisfaction, weaker=less frequent side-effects, and lower costs than conventional medicine (CM).…”

Self-Reported Health Characteristics and Medication Consumption by CAM Users and Nonusers: A Swiss Cross-Sectional Survey

“…1 The use of CAM in Switzerland and its effectiveness, appropriateness, and efficiency were addressed in 2005 by the government Program of Evaluation of Complementary Medicine, [2][3][4] which showed that approximately half of the population uses CAM. The popularity of this type of medicine was corroborated by a people's vote in 2009 in which about two thirds of the citizens favored the possibility of using CAM.…”

Attitudes des médecins généralistes envers les médecines complémentaires et besoins de formation. Résultats d’une enquête suisse

“…D'après l'enquête suisse sur la santé 2007, 31 % de la population du canton de Vaud y a fait appel au moins une fois au cours de l'année précédant l'analyse [2] . Wolf et al [3] ont mis en évidence une prévalence d'utilisation en Suisse de 49 ± 22 %. Ces médecines sont largement recherchées par les patients en complément à la médecine conventionnelle, bien que 77 % d'entre eux ne disent pas à leur médecin généraliste qu'ils y recourent [4] .…”