Abstract

Aim: Existing studies show that CAM is widely used by patients with chronic illnesses. However, the majority of patients who use CAM do not receive information about the CAM from health professionals, do not inform them about the CAM they use, or do not even share the side effects of CAM with them. This study aims to evaluate the illness perceptions and the use of complementary alternative medicines (CAM) in patients with chronic illnesses.

Methods: This study, which had a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design, was conducted on 200 patients, who were followed up in a family health center. A sociodemographic information form, a CAM usage form, and the revised illness perception questionnaire (IPQ-R) were used for data collection.

Results: Mean scores obtained from the views about illness subscale of the IPQ-R were low. The dimensions of the causes of illness subscale of the IPQ-R with the highest and the lowest scores were the risk factors and accident/chance. There was no significant relationship between illness perceptions and age, education level, and other characteristics of the participants. Of the participants, 31% used CAM and 84.7% expressed their intentions to use CAM if informed by a health professional.

Conclusion: The illness perceptions of the participants and the knowledge about chronic illnesses were not adequate. Compared to other counties, CAM usage in this study was at moderate levels and the majority of the participants had intentions to use CAM if informed by a health professional.