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Research

Complementary medicine use, views, and experiences: a national survey in England

Debbie Sharp, Ava Lorenc, Richard Morris, Gene Feder, Paul Little, Sandra Hollinghurst, Stewart W Mercer and Hugh MacPherson
BJGP Open 2018; 2 (4): bjgpopen18X101614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen18X101614
Debbie Sharp
1 Professor of Primary Care, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, , UK
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Ava Lorenc
2 Senior Research Associate, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, , UK
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  • For correspondence: ava.lorenc@bristol.ac.uk
Richard Morris
3 Professor in Medical Statistics, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, , UK
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Gene Feder
4 Professor of Primary Care, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, , UK
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Paul Little
5 Professor of Primary Care Research, Primary Medical Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, , UK
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Sandra Hollinghurst
6 Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, , UK
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Stewart W Mercer
7 Chair in Primary Care Research, Primary Care and General Practice, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, , UK
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Hugh MacPherson
8 Professor of Acupuncture Research, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, , UK
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Abstract

Background In 2005,12% of the English population visited a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner.

Aim To obtain up-to-date general population figures for practitioner-led CAM use in England, and to discover people's views and experiences regarding access.

Design & setting A face-to-face questionnaire survey was commissioned. A nationally representative adult quota sample (aged ≥15 years) was used.

Method Ten questions were included within Ipsos MORI’s weekly population-based survey. The questions explored 12-month practitioner-led CAM use, reasons for non-use, views on NHS-provided CAM, and willingness to pay.

Results Of 4862 adults surveyed, 766 (16%) had seen a CAM practitioner. People most commonly visited CAM practitioners for manual therapies (massage, osteopathy, chiropractic) and acupuncture, as well as yoga, pilates, reflexology, and mindfulness or meditation. Women, people with higher socioeconomic status (SES) and those in south England were more likely to access CAM. Musculoskeletal conditions (mainly back pain) accounted for 68% of use, and mental health 12%. Most was through self-referral (70%) and self-financing. GPs (17%) or NHS professionals (4%) referred and/or recommended CAM to users. These CAM users were more often unemployed, with lower income and social grade, and receiving NHS-funded CAM. Responders were willing to pay varying amounts for CAM; 22% would not pay anything. Almost two in five responders felt NHS funding and GP referral and/or endorsement would increase their CAM use.

Conclusion CAM use in England is common for musculoskeletal and mental health problems, but varies by sex, geography, and SES. It is mainly self-referred and self-financed; some is GP-endorsed and/or referred, especially for individuals of lower SES. Researchers, patients, and commissioners should collaborate to research the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CAM and consider its availability on the NHS.

  • Complementary Therapies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • General Practice
  • Received January 15, 2018.
  • Accepted July 23, 2018.
  • Copyright © The Authors 2018

This article is Open Access: CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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December 2018
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Complementary medicine use, views, and experiences: a national survey in England
Debbie Sharp, Ava Lorenc, Richard Morris, Gene Feder, Paul Little, Sandra Hollinghurst, Stewart W Mercer, Hugh MacPherson
BJGP Open 2018; 2 (4): bjgpopen18X101614. DOI: 10.3399/bjgpopen18X101614

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Complementary medicine use, views, and experiences: a national survey in England
Debbie Sharp, Ava Lorenc, Richard Morris, Gene Feder, Paul Little, Sandra Hollinghurst, Stewart W Mercer, Hugh MacPherson
BJGP Open 2018; 2 (4): bjgpopen18X101614. DOI: 10.3399/bjgpopen18X101614
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Keywords

  • Complementary Therapies
  • surveys and questionnaires
  • general practice

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