E-ISSN : 2733-4538
This study examined the psychosocial and demographic characteristics related to the alternative medicine usage in chronic gastrointestinal disorder patients. One hundred and forty-seven chronic gastrointestinal disorder patients' data were gathered and analyzed. Seventy-six percent of the patients have had iced alternative medicine at least once in their lifetime, and 15.6% of the patients were using alternative medicine therapy for their current gastrointestinal problems. The patients who were utilizing both orthodox medicine and alternative medicine for their current problems were more familiar to alternative medicine, had more previous experience in alternative medicine therapies, and were more satisfied in them. These patients were more likely to combine the two treatment methods should their symptoms relapse in the future. In this study, psychological variables such as neuroticism or depressive symptoms were not significantly related to the alternative medicine usage. However, patients who use, and will use only orthodox medicine showed a tendency of "powerful other" health locus of control.