Original scientific paper
Psychiatric Patients' Experiences in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and in Religious Support – A Pilot Study
O. Kozumplik
V. Jukić
Abstract
In the Psychiatric Hospital »Vrap~e« an investigation on a 200 patient sample was
carried out in the year 2000. The purpose of the investigation was to analyze the examinees’
experiences of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and religious
support. 35.5% of the examinees had had previous experiences of CAM and religious
support. The examinees born in towns used CAM methods and religious support significantly
more often. The schizophrenic patients used CAM methods and religious support
significantly more frequently than the patients with affective and anxiety disorders.
Non-significantly more often CAM methods and religious support were utilized by
women, examinees between 21 and 30 years of age, persons who graduated from junior
college, those who live in cohabitation and patients of Islamic religion. Patients consulted
priests most often. Significantly more often patients did not pay for the CAM
treatments and religious support and non-significantly more often patients considered
CAM therapy and religious support to be successful. Non-significantly more often patients
consulted CAM practitioners and religious practitioners without being previously advised
by their relatives or friends. Relatives of the patients advised them to consult CAM
practitioners and religious practitioners significantly more often than the friends of the
patients did. Considering the possible missed benefits and harm effects of CAM treatment
as well as of the interaction between utilization of CAM methods/religious support and
conventional treatment, this problem should be given full attention. Further investigations
are required.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
28254
URI
Publication date:
17.6.2002.
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