Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2001 Jun; 8(3): 137-42.

[Complementary medicine and patient contentedness - a survey]

Freivogel KW, Gerhard I.

Ambulanz f�r Naturheilkunde, Abteilung f�r Gyn�kologische Endokrinologie und Fertilit�tsstÃ¶rungen, Universit�ts-Frauenklinik Heidelberg.

BACKGROUND: Increasing popularity and concomitant application of complementary and conventional methods by patients and doctors in Germany. INTENTION: To examine attitudes and patient contentedness. METHOD: Open, retrospective, postal survey in 1,582 female patients treated with complementary methods between 1991 and 1996, using a structured trilateral questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 1,582 mailed questionnaires 808 (51%) were evaluable. About 50% of the patients in the survey felt that the results of their complementary treatment were 'very successful' (22%) or 'rather successful' (24%). 80% of the patients were 'very' oder 'rather satisfied' with the complementary treatment. This positive assessment was also found in patients without treatment success. 50% indicated a significant change in health behavior, more than two thirds indicated a change in life-style attitude. More than 90% of the patients would be ready to pay for part of their treatment. Half of the surveyed women used natural remedies without knowledge of their family doctor. Because of a low response rate of 50%, there is the possibility of selection bias which makes a cautious interpretation of these results necessary. CONCLUSION: Because of the approaches and methods applied, complementary medicine is particularly suited to induce patient treatment satisfaction. Further studies are necessary to verify positive long-term health effects of complementary interventions and treatment.