Abstract
Patients in Turkey frequently seek help from non-physicians such as hodjas and fortune-tellers. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, reasons for and results of the search for non-medical help by patients with psychiatric disorders. It was determined that 42.2% of patients consulted a hodja or a fortune-teller, and many (23.1%) were either the subject of prayers or else were advised to pray themselves as treatment. Considering that a significant number of patients seek non-medical treatment, it is thought that people should be informed about psychiatric disorders, therapies, and how to obtain them.
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All of the authors are M.D.s at Ondokuz Mayis University in Samsun, Turkey. Dr. Peksen is a Professor and Dr. Sunter an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health. Dr. Ozkan is a Professor and Dr. Güz an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry.
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Sunter, A.T., Guz, H., Ozkan, A. et al. The Search for Non-Medical Treatment by Patients with Psychiatric Disorders. J Relig Health 45, 396–404 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-006-9039-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-006-9039-4