The global use of diverse medical systems

Abstract

In 1969, anthropologist Irwin Press introduced the concept of dual use in an attempt to lay to rest the idea that individuals in the real world must choose between allopathic and alternative systems. While providers of medical traditions have a vested interest in seeing the public use one system exclusively, individuals do not. Yet, utilization research generally follows a bifurcated research agenda. thwarting our understanding of how the population uses health care resources. Here, we frame a global analysis of individuals' yearly use of different medical systems. Using the Network Episode Model (NEM), we shift the focus to patterns of care and lay out seven hypotheses, testing whether socio-demographic, cultural, access and health factors are associated with use of one, another, or both system. Data from the 2011 International Social Survey Program's Health Module, reveals that the use of alternative systems alone has virtually disappeared as a pattern of care while dual use remains relevant. Using multilevel models to take into account country differences, we find that being older or younger (i.e., curvilinear effect), female, out-group member, employed, unsatisfied with last allopathic visit; or, reporting barriers to allopathic options, chronic illness, poor health, or positive assessment of alternative options are associated with dual use. Education, income, rural residence, or reporting sufficient insurance coverage are insignificant. Thus, nearly all hypotheses reveal the complexity of contemporary utilization behavior.

Keywords: Comparative medical systems; Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); Cross-national; Health care utilization; Network episode model (NEM).