Patterns of Use, Expenditures, and Perceived Efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in HIV-Infected Patients

Abstract

COMPLEMENTARY OR alternative medical therapies, defined as those treatments that have not generally been promoted and taught in Western medical schools and that have not generally been available at Western hospitals and clinics,^1-4 have been the focus of increasing interest by patients, clinicians, and researchers. A nationwide telephone survey in 1990 found that 34% of those surveyed used at least 1 complementary or alternative medical therapy to treat a serious or bothersome problem within the previous year. Based on data collected in that survey, the authors estimated that in 1990, 60 million US citizens used these therapies and spent an estimated $14 billion, of which $10.5 billion was spent "out-of-pocket."¹