Changes in public awareness of, attitudes to, and use of complementary therapy in North East Scotland: surveys in 1993 and 1999
Section snippets
INTRODUCTION
Awareness of, attitudes towards and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) amongst the general public was initially investigated in the North East Scotland in 19931 in a population based survey. In response to growing local interest in CAM, its aim was to quantify the level of demand for eight therapies: acupuncture, aromatherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, reflexology, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, and herbalism and to establish the factors which might influence this demand. Since then
METHODS
A self-completion questionnaire was developed based on questions used and validated in the 1993 survey.1 Some minor changes were made to the questions to improve clarity but the core questions on awareness of different CAM, whether or not people would consider using the CAM, concerns about using CAM, opinions on NHS availability, the need for a register of approved therapists and opinions about paying towards the cost of NHS therapy remained the same. Respondents to the 1993 survey had been
RESULTS
Four hundred and thirty two (54%) responses were obtained.
DISCUSSION
Little research has been undertaken examining changes in CAM use over time. Whilst one such study is available from the US,4 this research provides the first empirical evidence of changes in CAM use over time from a UK perspective.
This study does have a number of limitations, however, which may affect the interpretation of the results. Whilst the sampling frames used in the two surveys were similar, in that they were drawn from the same population base, we accept that there may be some
Maggie J. Emslie MSc, Grampian Local Health Council, Westburn House, Foresterhill, Westburn Road, AB25 2XG Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Tel.: +44 1224 559444; Fax: +44 1224 552754
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Maggie J. Emslie MSc, Grampian Local Health Council, Westburn House, Foresterhill, Westburn Road, AB25 2XG Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Tel.: +44 1224 559444; Fax: +44 1224 552754