Association Between Use of Unconventional Therapies and Conventional Medical Services
JAMAPublished 18 August 1999
Benjamin G. Druss
Citations423
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score5.35
SNIP10.71
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TL;DR
In this sample, use of unconventional therapies was substantially lower than has been reported in previous national surveys, but was associated with increased use of physician services.
Abstract
In this sample, use of unconventional therapies was substantially lower than has been reported in previous national surveys, but was associated with increased use of physician services. From a health services perspective, practitioner-based unconventional therapies appear to serve more as a complement than an alternative to conventional medicine.
Keywords
Agricultural and Biological SciencesMedicineEconomics, Econometrics and Finance
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