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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Winfred Avogo, MA¹, Jemima A. Frimpong, MPH², Sam Kim, MA¹, and Patrick Rivers, PhD, MBA³. (1) Department of Sociology/Centre for Population Dynamics, Arizona State University, P O Box 874802, Tempe, AZ 85287, 480 965 3546, winfred.avogo@asu.edu, (2) Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 3641 Locust Walk, Rm G7, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (3) Health Care Management, College of Applied Sciences & Arts, Southern Illnios University, 1365 Douglas Drive, MAIL CODE 6615, Carbondale, IL 62901-6615

This study responds to the need to develop and test explanatory hypotheses on the use of CAM therapies. We posit that CAM utilization varies inversely with perceived health status and the level of satisfaction with conventional care. This relationship is explained by reasons for use of CAM for both patients in good health and the chronically ill.

Data for this study is drawn from the 2001 Survey on Disparities in Quality of Health Care; a nationally representative sample of adults age 18 and older living in continental United States. The chi-square is used to test bivariate relationships between CAM use, perceived health status and quality of care. Multivariate logistic regression methods are used to analyze the effects of health status and other predictors on CAM use.

Analysis showed that utilization of CAM therapies varied inversely with health status. Those who were in poor health were 15 % more likely as those in good health to report use of CAM. Those dissatisfied with the quality of care were more likely to use alternative medicine. People who were chronically ill and satisfied with conventional care used CAM more than those who were chronically ill and dissatisfied with conventional care. Use among these groups is primarily seen as an alternative rather than complementary to conventional care. Access to conventional care significantly explains perceived health status.

Findings suggest effective incorporation of CAM into conventional patient care. The impact of this approach could be instrumental in addressing health care cost, satisfaction and quality of care.

Learning Objectives: