Great Expectations: What Do Patients Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine Hope For?

Overview

Journal Patient

Specialty Health Services

Date 2011 Jul 20

PMID 21766898

Citations 10

Authors

E Ernst

S K Hung

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to summarize the published evidence regarding the expectations of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) users. We conducted electronic searches in MEDLINE and a hand search of our own files. Seventy-three articles met our inclusion criteria. A wide range of expectations emerged. In order of prevalence, they included hope to influence the natural history of the disease; disease prevention and health/general well-being promotion; fewer side effects; being in control over one's health; symptom relief; boosting the immune system; emotional support; holistic care; improving quality of life; relief of side effects of conventional medicine; good therapeutic relationship; obtaining information; coping better with illness; supporting the natural healing process; and availability of treatment. It is concluded that the expectations of CAM users are currently not rigorously investigated. Future studies should have a clear focus on specific aspects of this broad question.

Citing Articles

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Prevalence and predictive factors of complementary medicine use during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 in the Netherlands.

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Usage, biological activity, and safety of selected botanical dietary supplements consumed in the United States.

Benatrehina P, Pan L, Naman C, Li J, Kinghorn A J Tradit Complement Med. 2018; 8(2):267-277.

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