Table 4 Typology of non-users and users of complementary therapies (CTs) for asthma

CT sceptics:do not believe that CTs work; strong belief in value of "scientific" medicine

Trust the doctor:only try what the doctor recommends; would only use CTs if the doctor advises

Open or interested non-users:open to using CTs but not yet tried;

certain "trigger factors" could prompt use

Last resort users:tried all conventional treatments first; escalation of medication with lack of benefit, so turn to CTs

Pragmatic users:"shop around" to use whatever treatments will help in parallel, both CTs and conventional medicine

Committed users:CTs are preferred first port-of-call; committed to "alternative" philosophies of health