Ugeskr Laeger. 1989 Jan; 151(2): 87-90.

[Use of alternative forms of treatment by patients attending a pediatric outpatient clinic. A questionnaire study]

Wolthers OD.

A questionnaire investigation was sent to 402 patients attending a paediatric outpatient clinic. 94% replied. 31% had received alternative treatment. At the time of the investigation 8% were receiving treatment. In 70% of the children receiving alternative treatment, the reason for this treatment was identical with the diagnosis in the outpatient clinic. No sex differences were observed in seeking alternative treatment. The frequency was lowest for children aged 0-1 years (21%) and highest for children aged 6-7 years (42%). Fewest of the children came from social group V (25%) and the most numerous were from social group II (38%). 49% had paid less than 1,000 Danish crowns (approximately 80 pounds: -) and 9% had paid more than 2,000 Danish crowns (approximately 160 pounds: -) for the treatment. In 60% of the children, alternative treatment was sought on prompting from the family and friends. The commonest reasons for treatment were asthma/allergy (47%) and back/joint symptoms (11%). The commonest forms of treatment were osteopathy (50%), zone therapy (19%) and homeopathy (18%). 41% of the children receiving alternative treatment received orthodox medical treatment simultaneously. 77% of these continued the orthodox treatment prescribed by their practitioner unchanged. Thus, the patients thus sought manual and technical forms of therapy, frequently as a supplement rather than a genuine alternative to the treatment prescribed by the practitioner.