Medical Pluralism in East and West Europe: A Comparison of People
Visiting Alternative/Traditional/Folk Healthcare Practitioners
Abstract
Using data from International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), the
principal aim of this study was to conduct a cross-cultural comparision
of medical pluralism in Eastern and Western European countries. In
Easterne Europe, a total of 531 (5.5%) respondents reported and
alternative/traditional/folk (A/T/F) healthcare practitioner visit
during preceding 12 months, the results of the survey showed that in
Western Europe, similar visits were reported by 17,881 (11.6%)
individuals. In the Western region of Europe, CAM methods either provide
a coping strategy for those on low incomes, with limited access to
conventional healthcare or an alterantive option for members of the
younger generation. However, in the Eastern region, A/T/F practitioners
are mostly visited by city dwellers, who have a higher socio-economic
status, a relatively high level of trust in physicians.