Openness to Complementary Alternative Medicine in the United States and Abroad
Session Title
Mental Health and General Wellness
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Mentor
Ginger Williams, Ph.D.
Abstract
Reasons for openness to complementary alternative medicine (CAM), compared to conventional medicine, are due to patient-physician trust, personal experiences, and medical efficacy. This research aims to answer how open Americans are to using CAM compared to individuals in other countries, as wells as evaluate the factors contributing to those trends. The use of CAM has recently increased among Americans due to the distrust in physicians and the healthcare system, increased immigration and the use of the Internet, as well as shifted perspectives for chronic over acute illnesses, individualism over authority, and spirituality over science. Despite the increased use, many individuals do not disclose CAM use with their primary physician for various reasons suggesting that CAM continues to be a controversial healthcare option. Literature across medical, psychological, and sociological perspectives was surveyed to determine the factors contributing to these trends. Medical science is necessary in understanding the biological nature of the leading ailments that plague people worldwide, as well as the effects of treatment. On the other hand, Psychology analyzes what mental and emotional factors contribute to people choosing the treatment options that they do, while Sociology looks into additional demographic and cultural factors that play a role in the development of chronic ailments and treatment decision-making.
Honors Thesis Committee
Ginger Williams, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.; Courtney Guenther, Ph.D.
Course Assignment
IDVS 490H - Williams and HONR 451H - Lipscomb
Type of Presentation
Oral presentation
Openness to Complementary Alternative Medicine in the United States and Abroad
Reasons for openness to complementary alternative medicine (CAM), compared to conventional medicine, are due to patient-physician trust, personal experiences, and medical efficacy. This research aims to answer how open Americans are to using CAM compared to individuals in other countries, as wells as evaluate the factors contributing to those trends. The use of CAM has recently increased among Americans due to the distrust in physicians and the healthcare system, increased immigration and the use of the Internet, as well as shifted perspectives for chronic over acute illnesses, individualism over authority, and spirituality over science. Despite the increased use, many individuals do not disclose CAM use with their primary physician for various reasons suggesting that CAM continues to be a controversial healthcare option. Literature across medical, psychological, and sociological perspectives was surveyed to determine the factors contributing to these trends. Medical science is necessary in understanding the biological nature of the leading ailments that plague people worldwide, as well as the effects of treatment. On the other hand, Psychology analyzes what mental and emotional factors contribute to people choosing the treatment options that they do, while Sociology looks into additional demographic and cultural factors that play a role in the development of chronic ailments and treatment decision-making.
