There are many important aspects of an alternative treatment definition, which include the prevalence, benefits, and side effects of the practice. These variables are necessary for an accurate definition. Fortunately, there are several available sources. The most comprehensive definition of alternative medicine is the World Health Organization's. This website includes a wealth of information on this subject.
Prevalence
In a recent study, researchers from two different institutions explored the prevalence of alternative treatment among people with mental health conditions. They conducted two surveys and asked participants about their treatments, including pharmaceutical interventions and alternative practices. The findings indicated that the use of alternative treatments is more common among those with higher socioeconomic status.
Of the respondents, twenty percent reported using an alternative treatment. These treatments ranged from relaxation techniques to spiritual healing.
Variables that predict use
Although the proportion of people who use alternative health care is relatively low, some variables seem to influence use of alternative treatments. One of these variables is education, which is associated with an increased likelihood of referring to nontraditional practitioners. In addition, those with a graduate degree are more likely to seek alternative health care than those with lower educational levels.
Other important variables related to alternative health care use include health status and cultural creativity. Although individual beliefs may explain some of this growth, the fact is that the growing use of alternative health care is partly linked to culture and spirituality.
Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine
There is a trend toward the use of alternative treatment for dissatisfaction with conventional medical care. However, dissatisfaction with conventional medicine is not a major predictor of this use. Only 2 of the 4 predictors, namely a general lack of trust in conventional medicine and a desire to maintain control, were significant predictors.
Patients who choose alternative treatment often report that conventional medical care is not effective for their symptoms. They also have a greater desire to be in control of their health and subscribe to a holistic philosophical perspective on health.
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