Abstract
This study focuses on the use of alternative health care practitioners by Canadians aged 15 and over using data from the 1994–95 National Population Health Survey. A total of 17,626 respondents were selected. Consultation with an alternative health care provider or with a chiropractor was deemed to be an indicator of the use of alternative health care.
In 1994–95, an estimated 15% of Canadians aged 15 and over (3.3 million people) used some form of alternative health care in the year preceding the survey. Use of alternative health care was most prevalent among women, persons aged 45–64 and among higher income groups.
The use of alternative health care was associated with the number of diagnosed chronic illnesses. Among persons free of chronic diseases, 9% consulted alternative health care providers compared with 26% of those with three or more chronic conditions. Since the population is aging, the proportion with multiple chronic illness will also increase, with consequent demand for services from alternative health practitioners. The inclusion of any alternative practitioner services under existing health care plans could result in higher health care costs.
Résumé
l’étude examine la popularité de la médecine douce chez les Canadiens de 15 ans et plus selon les données de l’Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population de 1994–1995. En tout, 17 626 répondants ont été sélectionnés. La consultation d’un spécialiste de la médecine douce ou d’un chiropraticien a été considérée comme un indicateur du recours aux services de médecine parallèle.
En 1994–1995, environ 15% des Canadiens de 15 ans et plus (3,3 millions de personnes) ont fait appel à une forme quelconque de médecine douce durant l’année précédant l’enquête. Cette tendance est plus prévalente chez les femmes, chez les personnes de 45 à 64 ans et chez les groupes à revenu supérieur.
Le recours à la médecine douce varie avec la prévalence des maladies chroniques. Ainsi, il passe de 9% quand le répondant ne souffre d’aucune maladie chronique à 26% chez les personnes atteintes de trois affections ou plus. Puisque la population vieillit, on assistera à une hausse de la proportion de personnes atteintes de plusieurs maladies chroniques, ce qui accentuera la demande des services de médecine douce. L’inclusion de tels services aux régimes d’assurance-santé existants pourrait entraîner l’escalade des coûts de santé.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gillick MR. Common sense models of health and disease. N Engl J Med 1985;313:700–3.
Catlin G, Will P. The National Population Health Survey: Highlights of initial developments. Health Rep 1992;4:313–19.
Tambay JL, Catlin G. Sample design of the National Population Health Survey. Health Rep 1995;7(1):1–11.
Berger E. The Canadian Health Monitor Survey (survey no. 4). Toronto: Price Waterhouse, 1990; 4, p.8.
Eisenberg DM, Kessler RC, Foster C, Norlock FE, Calkins DR, Delbanco TL. Unconventional medicine in the United States. N Engl J Med 1993;328(4):246–82.
Spencer HM. Physicians should keep an open mind on complementary health care, congress says. Can Med Assoc J 1995;153(12):1787–97.
Immen W. Clinic to open doors for alternative medicine. An institute in Vancouver Hospital will offer services of shamans, acupuncturists. Mainstream Mds are taking notice. Globe and Mail. 1996 July 1: A1.
Smith T. Alternative medicine. BMJ 1983;287(6388):307.
Trachtman P. NIH looks at the implausible and the inexplicable. Smithsonian 1995;25(6):110–23.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Millar, W.J. Use of Alternative Health Care Practitioners by Canadians. Can J Public Health 88, 154–158 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403879
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403879