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Why do people favour alternative medicine?
1La Trobe University, Victoria. M.Siahpush@aw.latrobe.edu.au
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
|July 1, 1999
Summary
People favor alternative medicine due to their health values and beliefs, not dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Understanding these values is key for future health policies.
Area of Science:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Health Psychology
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine can stem from medical outcomes or the patient-physician encounter.
- Understanding public attitudes towards alternative medicine is crucial for healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the key factors influencing public attitudes towards alternative medicine.
- To explore the dimensions of dissatisfaction with conventional medical services.
Main Methods:
- A random telephone survey of 787 Victorians was conducted between 1997 and 1998.
- Principle component analysis and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine was found to have two dimensions: medical outcome and medical encounter.
- Neither dimension of dissatisfaction predicted attitudes towards alternative medicine.
- Attitudes towards alternative medicine were significantly influenced by health-related values, including belief in natural remedies, holistic health, consumerism, and individual responsibility.
Conclusions:
- Health-related values and beliefs are the primary drivers of preference for alternative medicine.
- Future health policies should consider evolving societal values and cultural shifts regarding healthcare choices.