• Aslak Steinsbekk, Jon Adams, David Sibbritt, Geir Jacobsen, and Roar Johnsen.
• Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. aslak.steinsbekk@ntnu.no
• Scand J Prim Health Care. 2007 Jun 1; 25 (2): 86-92.

ObjectiveTo compare the profiles of people visiting only a general practitioner (GP), those visiting only a practitioner of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and those visiting both (GP&CAM).DesignA comparative total population health survey in central Norway (HUNT 2).SubjectsA total of 54,448 persons 20 years of age and over who answered questions about their use of health services during the previous 12 months.VariablesSociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived health, subjective health complaints, and a variety of common diseases.ResultsSome 34,854 (64.0%) of those who answered the health service use question had visited only a GP, 837 (1.5%) only a CAM practitioner, and 4563 (8.4%) both during the last 12 months. The likelihood of being a CAM-only user as compared to a GP-only user was significantly increased (p < 0.005) if the participant was male; aged between 30 and 69; and without cardiovascular disease. The likelihood of being a GP&CAM user compared with a GP-only user was significantly increased (p < 0.005) for those who were female; aged between 30-59; had a higher education level; were non-smokers; had lower perceived global health; had a limiting chronic complaint; had experienced a health complaint during the last 12 months; had musculoskeletal disease; had a psychiatric complaint; and had hay fever.ConclusionThere were few CAM-only users and they differ from GP-only users by being male, aged 30-69, and without cardiovascular disease. Users of both GP&CAM were less healthy with more complaints and poorer self-reported health than GP- and CAM-only users.

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