Complementary Medicine Prescription Patterns in Germany

Abstract

BACKGROUND There is growing interest in complementary medicine worldwide and a corresponding need to know how patients and practitioners interact. OBJECTIVE To chart the use of complementary medications compared with conventional treatments among practitioners and patients in Germany. METHODS Comparative analysis of patients' data from a prospective cohort study of 4178 patients presenting with chronic as well as acute symptoms by 218 practitioners at 218 centers in all German federal states between 2001 and 2002. Practices focused on either conventional medicine, complementary medicine, or both. Data were gathered on prescription patterns, treatment satisfaction and adherence, and the degree of patient involvement in treatment decisions. RESULTS Complementary medicine was preferentially prescribed over conventional medicine in patients <18 and >65 years old, in women, and in patients with chronic symptoms. Patients receiving complementary medications had, on average, higher rates of accompanying illnesses, received more preparations, and were more closely involved in the decision process than patients prescribed conventional therapies. The decision to use complementary medicine was based on both the patient's and the practitioner's wishes in 40.8% of the cases compared with 25.8% of the cases of conventional therapies. Tolerability and satisfaction with treatment appeared greater with complementary than with conventional therapies. CONCLUSION Complementary medicine is generally well established in Germany, apparently in a dialogue with conventional medicine. Patients receiving complementary medicine appear to be more closely involved in the decision process and more satisfied with treatments than conventionally treated patients.