Patterns And Predictors Of Complementary And Alternative Therapy Use In A Cancer Population:A Secondary Analysis Of The 2002 National Health Interview Survey

Significance: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are often used with ‘mainstream' medical treatments. Healthcare providers need to understand factors influencing use and implications for patient care.

Purpose: Determine patterns, predictors and purpose of use of CAM providers, practices and products in the U.S. cancer population in relationship to symptom management and health promotion.

Conceptual Framework: The CAM Healthcare Model ©, an extension of the Behavioral Model for Health Services Use, identified predisposing, enabling and need-for-care factors ability to predict CAM use.

Methods: Secondary analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (2002) using STATA 9.2 for population estimation was conducted. Sample: individuals reporting a cancer diagnosis (N=2262; population estimate: 14.3 million). Reported use of 22 CAM therapies categorized as provider services, practices or products was analyzed. Dependent variables: (a) overall CAM use, (b) use of specific CAM categories and (c) purpose of use (treatment/health promotion). Independent variables: Predisposing (gender, age, race, education, marital status), Enabling (income, insurance, provider-contact), and Need (cancer-site, symptoms, co-morbidity, health status).

Analysis: Binary/Multinomial Logistic Regression models were used with focus on between-subject differences. Potential predictor variables excluded if p-value exceeded 0.10

Results: CAM use was more prevalent in the cancer population than in the non-cancer population with higher odds of use by female, middle-aged, white, and well-educated people; women specifically were more likely to use CAM practices. Higher income, insurance, provider-contact, pain and co-morbidity were strong predictors of CAM use. Data highlight the need for all healthcare providers to assess CAM use to promote quality healthcare.