Table 1 Overview of questions related to health care utilization
ITEM | RELATED SURVEY QUESTION |
|---|---|
Conventional health care provider | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, have you seen or talked to any of the following health care providers about your own health … |
 GP | a general doctor who treats a variety of illnesses (a doctor in general practice, family medicine, or internal medicine) |
 Specialist | a medical doctor who specializes in a particular medical disease or problem (other than obstetrician/gynecologist, psychiatrist or ophthalmologist) |
 Eye specialist | an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor (someone who prescribes eyeglasses |
 Mental health provider | a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or clinical social worker |
 Dentist | About how long has it been since you last saw a dentist? Include all types of dentists, such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists. |
 Emergency room | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, HOW MANY TIMES have you gone to a HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM about your own health |
Allied health care provider | |
 Physical therapy | Physical therapist, speech therapist, respiratory therapist, audiologist, or occupational therapist |
 Nurse practitioners | Nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or midwife |
CAM provider | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you see … |
 Chiropractic | Practitioner for chiropractic |
 Massage | Practitioner for massage |
 Osteopathy, Craniosacral therapy* | Practitioner for osteopathic manipulation, for craniosacral therapy |
 Acupuncture | Practitioner for acupuncture |
 Naturopathy | Naturopath/a herbalist |
 Homeopathy | Homeopath |
 Ayurveda | Practitioner for Ayurveda |
 Native healing* | Native American Healer, Medicine Man, Shaman, Curandero, Machi, Parchero, Yerbero, Hierbista, Sobador, Huesero, |
 Energy healing | Provider or practitioner for energy healing therapy |
 Hypnosis | Practitioner for hypnosis |
Exercise | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you practice … |
 Yoga | Yoga |
 Tai Chi, Qigong* | Tai Chi/Qi Gong |
 Exercise* | Pilates, Trager Psychophysical Integration, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique |
Relaxation | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you use … |
 Meditation* | Mantra Meditation, including Transcendental Meditation®, Relaxation Response, and Clinically Standardized Meditation; Mindfulness meditation, including Vipassana, Zen Buddhist meditation, Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy; Spiritual meditation including Centering Prayer and Contemplative Meditation |
 Relaxation* | Guided imagery, progressive relaxation |
Diet | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you use … for two weeks or more for health reasons |
 Vegetarian diet* | Vegetarian diet, including Vegan diet |
 Medical diet* | Atkins diet, Ornish diet, Pritikin diet, Macrobiotic diet |
OTC medication, supplements | DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you take … |
 Herbal medicine* | Combination herb pill, Acai pills or gel caps, Cranberry pulls or capsules, Echinacea, Garlic supplements, Ginkgo Biloba, Green rea pulls or EGCG pills, Milt thistle (sylimarin), Saw palmetto, Valerian, other herbs |
 Supplements* | Chondroitin, co-enzyme Q10, digestive enzymes, fish oil, glucosamine, melatonin, SAM-e, probiotics, other non-vitamin supplements |
 Vitamins minerals* | Multi-vitamins or multi-minerals, vitamins A,B,C,D,E,H, or K, calcium, magnesium, iron, chromium, zinc, selenium, or potassium |