[Conventional or complementary medicine: what criteria for choosing do patients use?]

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Health and Medicine
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Research

Background:

• Limited in-depth research exists on motivations for choosing conventional versus complementary medicine.
• Existing studies present varied conclusions on whether dissatisfaction with conventional medicine drives CAM use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the diverse motives behind patients' selection of complementary medicine.
• To analyze patient demographics, values, and decision-making preferences in CAM use.
• To review the sociological factors influencing health and illness behavior.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating motives for conventional and complementary medicine use.
• Analysis of patient demographics, values, and disease characteristics associated with CAM users.
• Examination of sociological theories related to health and sickness behavior.

Main Results:

• Motivations for CAM include mistrust of conventional medicine, a desire for holistic health, better doctor-patient relationships, and a critical view of modern society.
• CAM is frequently used for chronic conditions, with users often being educated, middle-aged females with post-materialistic values and a desire for shared decision-making.
• Study populations and methodologies vary, necessitating cautious interpretation of findings; cultural and social aspects are under-researched.

Conclusions:

• Patient choices in healthcare are complex, influenced by personal values, health beliefs, and perceived limitations of conventional medicine.
• Complementary medicine is viewed by users as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, conventional treatments.
• Further research is needed to explore the social and cultural dimensions of complementary medicine use and patient behavior in sickness.