The results of a random nationwide
telephone survey of 1,501 mothers, fathers and other
primary caregivers of children and adolescents showed
that nearly one quarter (22%) of the parents used
some type of alternative medicine for their child,
and almost one in 10 allowed their child to visit
a complementary and alternative medicine provider,
defined in the study as a chiropractor, osteopathic
physician or homeopath. The study also showed that
more than one-third do not tell their medical doctor
about it.
The story reported by the October 24, 2002 Web MD
and by Reuters Health on October 28, 2002, more than
80% of the parents were somewhat or very satisfied
with their child's most recent use of complementary
and alternative medicines and 86% of parents considered
the care to be somewhat or very helpful. Finally,
90% said they would be willing to use complementary
and alternative medicines for their children in the
future.
Dr. Michael B. Aldous of the University of Arizona
in Tucson and colleagues conducted the survey and
analyzed the results.
The results of a random nationwide
telephone survey of 1,501 mothers, fathers and other
primary caregivers of children and adolescents showed
that nearly one quarter (22%) of the parents used
some type of alternative medicine for their child,
and almost one in 10 allowed their child to visit
a complementary and alternative medicine provider,
defined in the study as a chiropractor, osteopathic
physician or homeopath. The study also showed that
more than one-third do not tell their medical doctor
about it.