Complementary and Alternative medicine: Attitudes and use among Health educators in the united states

Oct 15, 2026

Interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States is growing, yet CAM remains early-stage for researchers and Western practitioners. This cross-sectional online survey examined U.S. health educators’ attitudes toward CAM and their use of common CAM therapies. Results show generally positive attitudes and that about 90% used at least one CAM therapy in the past 12 months, with women reporting higher attitudes and use. Findings support expanding CAM education for future health education professionals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

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Abstract

Background

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Research Article Complementary and Alternative medicine: Attitudesand use among Health educators in the united states Ping Johnson, Jennifer Priestley, Kandice Johnson Porter, and Jane Petrillo ABSTRACT Background: Interest in and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States is increasing. However, CAM remains an area of nascency for researchers and western practitioners. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine U.S. health educators’ attitudes toward CAM and their use of common CAM therapies. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among members of a professional health educator listserv. Results: Health educators generally have positive attitudes toward CAM and about 90% have used at least one CAM therapy in the last 12 months. Differences in CAM attitudes and use were significant, with females reporting more positive attitudes toward and use of CAM. Discussion: Health educators’ overall positive attitudes toward CAM are consistent with the limited extant literature. However, important differences were found by various demographic characteristics, not previously identified. Translation to Health Education Practice: The results of this study support the small, but growing, body of literature regarding the need for CAM education for future health education professionals. A discussion of various approaches to the integration of CAM education into professional preparation programs is included. Johnson P, Priestly J, Johnson K, Petrillo J. Complementary and alternative medicine: Attitudes and use among health educators in the United States. Am J Health Educ. 2010;41(3):167-177. This paper was submitted to the Journal on June 19, 2009, revised and accepted for publication on October 15, 2009. BACKGrounD As the costs related to conventional healthcare continue to increase, more Americans are turning to Complementary and Alternative Medicine for treatment.1 Recent studies have reported that the proportion of U.S. adult patients who used at least one of the 16 of the most common CAM therapies in a given year increased from 33.8% in 1990 to 42 . 1% in 19972 and to 62% in 2002.3 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in December 2008 that “…almost 4 out of 10 adults had used CAM therapy in the past 12 months …”1 The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines CAM as “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.”4 In other words, CAM therapies are not traditionally offered by conventionally trained medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathy (ODs), or by allied health professionals, such as physician assistants, physical therapists, or nurses. Therapies most commonly used include natural products (nonvitamin, nonmineral), deep breathing exercises, meditation, chiropractic and massage.1 Women are more likely than men to utilize CAM therapies, 1,2,3 as are older adults1,3,5 and individuals from ethnic minority groups. 1,6,7 Recent research has explored the attitudes and use of CAM among various health professionals such as physicians,8-12 nurses,8,10,11 pharmacists8,13,14 and physi- cian assistants.15 An extensive review of the extant literature identified only one study16 that examined the attitudes and practices of alternative medicine among university Ping Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Sport, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144; [E-mail: pjohnso2@kennesaw.edu](E-mail: pjohnso2@kennesaw.edu). Jennifer Priestley is an associate professor in the Department of Math and Statistics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30319. Kandice Johnson Porter is an associate professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Sport Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30319. Jane Petrillo is an associate professor in the Depa

FAQs

What was the study’s main purpose?

To examine U.S. health educators’ attitudes toward CAM and their use of common CAM therapies, including whether demographic factors influenced attitudes and use.

How was the data collected?

A cross-sectional online survey was administered to members of a professional health educator listserv.

What were the key findings about attitudes and CAM use?

Health educators generally held positive attitudes toward CAM, and about 90% reported using at least one CAM therapy within the last 12 months, with significant differences by demographic characteristics, especially sex.

Oct 15, 2026

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