Positive Health Online

Abstract

SIMON and colleagues, Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, WA, USA, simon.g@ghc.org, have studied visits of mental health patients to complementary and alternative practitioners.

Background

the aim of the study was to examine the characteristics of mental health visits to CAM practitioners.

Methodology

A representative sample of acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and naturopathic physicians reported on 8933 consecutive visits. The reports included demographic data, presenting complaints, referral sources, treatments provided, disposition, and other sources of care.

Results

The percentage of visits made for mental health reasons ranged from 7% to 11% for acupuncturists, massage therapists, and naturopaths and was less than 1% for chiropractors. At least two-thirds of patients were self-referred. CAM providers discussed care with conventional medical practitioners in 6 – 20% of cases and were aware of other medical care involved in a further 10 – 30% of cases. Only 1 – 5% of cases were subsequently referred on to conventional medical practitioners.

Conclusion

The prevalence of mental health visits to acupuncturists, massage therapists and naturopaths is comparable to mental health visits to conventional medical practice. Only chiropractors have a much lower frequency of visits by mental health patients. Among those seeking help from CAM practitioners for mental health problems, concomitant conventional care is common, but communication or coordination of care is rare.

References

Simon GE, Cherkin DC, Sherman KJ, Eisenberg DM, Deyo RA, Davis RB. Mental health visits to complementary and alternative medicine providers. General Hospital Psychiatry 26 (3): 171-177, May-Jun 2004.