The Nightingale Center

Taking Charge of Your Health Care

by Dr. Lois Nightingale

An amazing epidemic is sweeping across America. Special interest groups are following it. Traditional medical training institutions are jumping on board. Even conservative healthcare companies are hiring consumer research firms to study the phenomenon. Internet sites are springing up as fast as new research.

Americans are taking an active role in their healthcare. Many are turning to complimentary and alternative treatments for a wide range of medical and emotional conditions. This fast growing group of patients is taking an active role in educating themselves and carefully choosing whom they will trust with their medical care.

The Baby Boomer generation is the largest (77 million) best-educated and most affluent generation in history. This group has a significantly stronger focus on not only living longer but in getting the most out of all the life they live. This is leading more people to actively gather information about health care options.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Assn., one in three adults uses some complementary and alternative therapy regularly (a $27 billion annual market). The report also stated visits to complimentary practitioners exceeded the number of visits to primary care physicians between 1990 and 1997.

In spite of its popularity, complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) is seldom covered by traditional health care plans. According to a recently released nation wide survey conducted by Sorelli B (a consumer research firm based in Glen Ellyn, Ill.) only 33% of CAM visits were covered by an employer health plan, vs. 65% of MD/DO visits. One of the most interesting findings was that a greater percentage of the respondents stated they would be willing to pay $10.00 or more out-of-pocket to see a CAM practitioner than were willing to pay this same fee to see an MD/DO.

When results of this study were analyzed using only respondents who had personal experience with CAM practitioners, 93% said they had positive outcomes following a chiropractic visit, but only 82% said the same for their MD/DO. Of this group, those who had "cured" or "symptoms diminished" outcomes after their most recent visit, massage therapy was 87% and acupuncture treatment 74%.

As information and research are conveniently available through the Internet, more people are educating themselves about their options. Just a few generations ago we only accepted "mainstream" heath care treatments (most of which seem obsolete in the face of new research). But today, more than at any time in history, there is a wide variety of information on health care choices available.

Take an active role in your health care. Stay informed, ask questions, find health care practitioners who work well together, combining allopathic and complimentary practitioners. Make the most of the life you are living today.

Dr. Lois Nightingale is a Clinical Psychologist, author, national speaker and Director of the Nightingale Center in Yorba Linda.